Cobaltoan Dolomite

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This gorgeous pink Cobaltoan (or cobalt-bearing) Dolomite is from a relatively new discovery in the Katanga Copperbelt in the Tenke-Fungurume area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Very large miniature to small cabinet in size, its colour makes it feel more imposing. The upper surface is coated in well-formed rhombic Dolomite crystals which are a traditional beige colour at their core, but transition outwards to a thin surface layer of the most vivid cerise-pink colour with a pearlescent lustre. This colour is not a superficial coating, but part of the crystal structure where the chemistry of the carbonate solutions shifted from calcium and magnesium rich in the early stages of crystallization to an influx of cobalt in the final stages. A small black area at one end of the specimen is probably the associated species Heterogenite (cobalt oxide hydroxide), but has not been analysed. Kansalawile mine is one of the 'smaller' openpit mines in the Tenke-Fungurume area and is likely to be consumed by one of the larger openpits in the future.