Hausmannite on Andradite Garnet - image 1
Hausmannite on Andradite Garnet - image 2
specimen video
Hausmannite on Andradite Garnet - image 4
Hausmannite on Andradite Garnet - image 5
Hausmannite on Andradite Garnet - image 6

Hausmannite on Andradite Garnet

A

Alexander Schauss
0 for sale
Hausmannite, 2.7 cm, from the N’Chwaning II mine near Kuruman, Kalahari Manganese Field, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Part of the 2010 Desautels Award winning display. Ex Dave Bunk, ex Jim (1936-2002) and Dawn Minette collection. Jeff Scovil photo.

Product details

Species
Hausmannite, AndraditeAbout Hausmannite →
SizeMiniature
Dimensions2.7 cm
Added on10/22/2024
Locality
South Africa, Northern Cape, N'Chwaning II MineRegional guide →
Publications
  • Mineralogical Record Special Issue: Refined Elegance page 131

Learn more

Mineral guide
Learn about Hausmannite
(Mn3O4): jet-black, metallic luster with sharp pseudo-octahedra. From South Africa’s Kalahari Manganese Field, prized for dramatic contrast.
Hausmannite
Regional guide
Hausmannite from N'Chwaning II Mine, South Africa
from N'Chwaning II is one of the rare cases where a black manganese oxide becomes a true connoisseur mineral. The best pieces are not simply “black crystals”: they are architectural, high-luster, jet-black to brownish-black dipyramids, often stacked into pagoda-like forms and set against brick-red andradite, white baryte, colorless to white calcite, or the prized rose-pink datolite that made certain late-1990s pieces instantly recognizable. In hand specimen, the finest crystals have a sharp metallic to submetallic gleam that catches light from multiple growth faces, so that a seemingly dark specimen suddenly breaks into bright reflections as it is turned.