Skarn is one of the most important varieties of economic ore deposits that could form worldwide by regional and/or contact metamorphism and metasometism of mafic rocks to limestone (major deposits have lithology of limestone), and other rock types.

Inesite is a rare mineral can be found in these kinda deposits. It is a hydrated calcium manganese silicate (highly agreed with the chemistry of skarn! Ca-Fe-Mg-Mn silicates formed by replacement of carbonate-bearing rocks）that has attractive pinkish color and elongated triclinic crystals.

Except South Africa, and California, the 3000-year-old Fengjiashan Copper mine in Daye, China also produces classic inesite specimens and has many interesting paragenesis such as Hubeite (mineral named after Hubei province), Fluorappophyllite, calcite, quartz etc.

I am very honored to own this piece since last spring. It so elegant with a strong contrast that's given by the 4.6cm long, bowknot inesite sitting on a 5cm long calcite cluster.

Jeff Scovil photo