Hydroxyapophyllite, Calcite on Matrix, N'Chwaning II Mine, Kalahari Manganese Field, Northern Cape, South Africa.

Hydroxyapophyllite was fairly common at the Kalahari Manganese Fields, these days finding good undamaged ones is not so easy. This specimen is made up of multiple high lustre cubic crystals which have intergrown with one another and deposited onto a matrix with small sparkling Calcite crystals. The largest crystal here measures 11mm and some of them come off the matrix nicely. Overall in great condition, some of the crystals are surprisingly clear. Excellent matrix specimen.

Size: 6.5 x 4.2 x 3.1cm

Locality: N'Chwaning II, Kalahari Manganese Field, Northern Cape, South Africa