Rodocrosita
Rodocrosita is a mineral with formula MnCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Hotazel, Hotazel, Northern Cape, Campo manganífero del Kalahari, Sudáfrica and joined the Terrium collection in 1965.
Description
Cherry-red scalenohedral rhodochrosite crystals, very gemmy and transparent, lining a cavity in massive black manganite matrix. Crystals to 0.7 cm, with internal inclusions producing a phantom effect and a strong vitreous lustre.
History of this specimen
It is a rarity and a historic specimen within rhodochrosite collecting. In the 1960s, Manfred Eitz bought it from a trader from the Kalahari Desert. It then passed to Elfriede, who in 2011 decided to give it to Dr Gerhard Jung for his 86th birthday. That is why its ID in this collection is 0089. Gerhard Jung (1925–2013) was a meticulous German chemist and collector, active mainly between the 1960s and 1980s, who paid particular attention to well-documented and aesthetically perfect pieces. In 1981 the IMA dedicated the mineral "jungite" to him, which he had discovered a few years earlier. Keeping this piece, and the coffinite (0170) from his collection, is how I honour his legacy.
About Rodocrosita
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate valued in collecting for its pinkish-red colour and transparency. Specimens from Hotazel are uncommon compared with those from N’Chwaning I and typically line cavities in manganite matrix, and are regarded as period classics.
About the locality
Hotazel is part of the Kalahari Manganese Field, one of the largest concentrations of manganese in the world. In the 1960s and 1970s it produced notable rhodochrosites, predating the fame of localities such as N’Chwaning I. The mine is now closed and its specimens are considered of great historical rarity.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0086
- Composition
- MnCO₃
- Name
- Rodocrosita
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Cavella
- Associations
- manganita
- Mine
- Mina Hotazel
- District / Municipality
- Hotazel
- Province
- Northern Cape
- Region
- Campo manganífero del Kalahari
- Country
- Sudáfrica
- Size (cm)
- 5.6 x 4.5 x 3
- Weight
- 88.2 g
- Acquired
- 1965
- Ex-collection
- Dr. Gerhard Jung
- Etymology
- From the Greek "rhodon" (rose) and "chroma" (colour), for its characteristic hue.
- Quality
- Top
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Andersonita — España
- Aragonito (Pantojo) — España
- Aragonito (Azul (Toralina)) — España
- Aragonito — Italia
- Aragonito — España
- Aragonito (Pantojo) — España
- Aragonito (Azul) — Italia