Rhodochrosite Stalactite

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Apparently named after the local climate, Hotazel, or "Hot as hell", is one of a small group of major manganese mines in the Kalahari Manganese Field, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Combined, the manganese deposits represent the world's largest land-based source of manganese. Discovered in the 1960s, the finds of Rhodochrosite (manganese carbonate) set a new benchmark for crystals of this beautiful species. This pink sparry Rhodochrosite stalactite from Hotazel, is actually three parallel stalactites that have grown alongside each other resulting in their ends, or tip, being forced outwards in a slightly divergent fashion. Representing the final 2.4 cm of the stalactites (including their rounded ends), the other end of the specimen in a cross-section through the broken stalactite/s. Internally its tube-like core can be seen with a partial white to cream infill, with intense flesh-pink crystallized Rhodochrosite radiating outwards as tiny platy crystals. Small miniature in size this is a really unusual habit for a Rhodochrosite stalactite.