The Wessels Mine of the Kalahari Manganese Field in South Africa is among the best-known mines in the world for mineral species of color, and for good reasons. Just look at this superb thumbnail featuring ettringite, one of the most recognizable and representative species from here. The hexagonal crystals, up to 1.6 cm, are lustrous with a vibrant, lemon-yellow color. Well-terminated, they are gemmy enough that you can see and really appreciate the electric-yellow flashes reflecting within the interior. Combined with lustrous calcite crystals at the base of the cluster, this excellent thumbnail has choice quality and aesthetics. For eye appeal and the contrasts of color and form, I consider this one of the better ettringite thumbnail specimens that I have seen. This is from late 1980s finds and nothing of this quality has been produced since. It is a competition level thumbnail specimen. Better in person!
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