Detailed information
Species
Ettringite
Dimensions
120 x 52 x 47
mm
Weight
98 g
Locality
N'Chwaning II Mine, N'Chwaning Mines Kuruman, Kalahari Mn. Field N. Cape Province, South Africa
Condition
No recorded repairs
Custom Stand
Yes - custom stand included
Looking at the scale of this Ettringite crystal you might be questioning how on earth it is considered a rare species? Well, at 12 cm tall this is certainly a big dramatic specimen. Described in 1874 as a new species in basalt from Ettringen in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany it was, for over a century only known in small and usually colourless crystals. Then came the discoveries within the Kalahari Manganese Field in South Africa. These, from the late 1970s onwards, redefined the scale of Ettringite crystals. This simply stunning pale lemon yellow prismatic crystal comes from N'Chwaning II mine and is without doubt one of the finest known. Generally, with increased size comes increased damage or imperfections, but this is not the case here - it is simply stunning. It is further enhanced by its subtle colour zoning with slightly darker yellow tips. It is on matrix, albeit a very small piece, and has a small area missing on the reverse at the top of the crystal, where it was once attached to more matrix. It is nicely finished with a few smaller prismatic Ettringite crystals in association. It comes with its own purpose made acryllic Sunnywood display stand. A proper South African classic.