'CHARLESITE'

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This rare, choice specimen from the celebrated Wessels mine in the Kalahari Manganese Fields, South Africa is previously documented as the chemically complex Ettringite group mineral Charlesite, but the identification of Charlesite has recently been called into question. Charlesite was generally assumed to be the paler yellow form of Ettringite group minerals in the mines, but in reality visual identification alone is not an adequate method of distinguishing them. Other visual features used to distinguish Charlesite crystals include extensive gemmy areas, lustrous faces, and excellent terminations all of which are seen in this specimen. This fine miniature specimen displays a parallel to sub-parallel group of prismatic crystals individually measuring to 2.5 cm in length. In some specimens chemical zonation from Sturmannite to Charlesite is claimed. This attractive pale sulphur yellow specimen of what was once believed to be 'Charlesite' from the mine might more correctly be termed Ettringite group but its historic labelling is kept to highlight its difference to more typical Ettringites.