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Olmiite

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Named in 2006 as the Mn-dominant analogue of Poldervaartite, all of the world's best Olmiite crystals come from a small cluster of manganese mines in the Northern Cape region in South Africa. This extremely rich cabinet size specimen of Olmiite is one of the finest examples that we have handled, and features the more richly coloured flesh-pink to orange-brown 'balls' richly encrusting a massive black Manganite matrix. The globular crystal aggregates of Olmiite reach up to an impressive 2.5 cm in diameter, with some coalesced together, but others more isolated and all in extremely fine condition. This is a stunning example of this wonderful find from the early 2000's which are rarely seen now.

Product details

SpeciesOlmiite
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions7.7 x 9.1 x 7.5 cm
Added on10/24/2024
LocalitySouth Africa, Northern Cape, N'Chwaning II Mine
Current owner
Unknown Owner
Acquired
Jul 2026
Price paid
$9,500.00
Previous owners
DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Crystal ClassicsNot disclosed

Learn more

Olmiite
Mineral guide
Learn about Olmiite
from South Africa’s Kalahari Manganese Field is a manganese silicate prized for warm apricot hues, ember glow, and radial clusters on dark matrix.
Olmiite
Regional guide
Olmiite from N'Chwaning II Mine, South Africa
orange-pink radial clusters from N'Chwaning II, the type locality manganese silicate prized for color, architecture, and cabinet-worthy specimens.
Locality guide
N'Chwaning II Mine
N'Chwaning II Mine, South Africa — premier manganese locality yielding rare cabinet-scale minerals (hausmannite, rhodochrosite, ettringite) prized for color an…