Tucson 2009 Update 1 Olmiite on Calcite February 22 2009

Tucson 2009 Specimens
Olmiite on Calcite

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Working on a tip from John Veevaert, I visited South African dealer (and miner) Paul Balayer, who showed me his collection of these incredible specimens. I would tend to agree with John's assessment that these were probably the best new find presented at this years Tucson show. Paul was extremely hospitable and told me that all of these specimens originated from one pocket. He and his mining staff spent over 24 hours completely working out all of the specimens late last year. These represent the best new find of this species from the N'Chwaning Mine in recent years. I especially like the hemispherical specimens. Enjoy!

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal01 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 3.7 x 2.9 x 2.5cm Miniature $75 This specimen consists of a bed of water clear scalenohedral calcite xls with a number of salmon pink wheat sheaf clusters of olmiite xls growing on top. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. There are a few clusters of white tabular barite xls adding to this excellent display piece. No damage.

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal02 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 3.8 x 3.2 x 2.3cm Miniature $175 This specimen consists of numerous generations of water clear scalenohedral calcite xls with a number of salmon pink wheat sheaf clusters of olmiite xls growing on top. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. No damage.

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal03 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 3.0 x 3.0 x 2.1cm Large Thumbnail This specimen consists of a bit of matrix that is covered by a bed of water clear scalenohedral calcite xls followed by a number of salmon pink wheat sheaf clusters of olmiite xls. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. No damage.

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal04 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 4.8 x 4.4 x 2.7cm Large Miniature $225 This specimen consists of numerous generations of water clear scalenohedral calcite xls with a number of salmon pink wheat sheaf clusters of olmiite xls growing on top. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. This is one of the better pieces in the bunch, in my opinion. No damage to the olmiite xls.

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal05 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 4.2 x 3.3 x 3.0cm Miniature $150 This specimen consists of several larger water clear scalenohedral calcite xls surrounded by a number of salmon pink wheat sheaf clusters of olmiite xls. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. No damage to the olmiite xls.

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal06 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 3.3 x 3.3 x 3.1cm Miniature $225 This specimen consists of a scalenohedral calcite xl that has been overgrown by a solid mat of dark salmon pink wheat sheaf olmiite clusters. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. These last three "cluster" specimens display the darkest and pinkest colored olmiite xls. No damage to the olmiite xls.

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal07 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 4.3 x 3.2 x 2.5cm Miniature $250 This specimen consists of a large mass of dark salmon pink wheat sheaf olmiite clusters. Around their periphery, you find small water clear scalenohedral calcite xls. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. There are a few clusters of white tabular barite xls adding to this excellent display piece. This is one cool rock! These last three "cluster" specimens display the darkest and pinkest colored olmiite xls. No damage to the olmiite xls.

	Olmiite on Calcite Specimen #Olmcal08 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 5.8 x 3.7 x 3.2cm Small Cabinet $295 This specimen consists of a large mass of dark salmon pink wheat sheaf olmiite clusters. Around their periphery, you find a number of water clear scalenohedral calcite xls. The olmiite xls are very lustrous and display better in person. There is a cluster of white tabular barite xls adding to this excellent display piece. I really like the way this piece displays. These last three "cluster" specimens display the darkest and pinkest colored olmiite xls. No damage to the olmiite xls.

	Olmiite Sphere Specimen #Olmcal09 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 2.5 x 2.2 x 1.7cm Thumbnail $250 This is the first of three hemispherical specimens that I obtained from Paul. I had sorted through his specimens associated with scalenohedral calcite, when he pulled out a small flat that contained these beauties. I was instantly blown away by their amazing color, brilliance and luster. All I could say was WOW and I think I'm going to put the hurt to my checkbook with this visit. He showed me the best one he had left (10cm across) and you can see a picture of it on John Veevaert's site (Tucson report #6) as he visited Paul as well. This specimen consists of what appears to be two intergrown "balls" of butterscotch colored olmiite on matrix. There are a few small scalenohedral calcite xls found around the edge of this piece. He only had two of these hemispherical specimens left on matrix when I visited him and I purchased both. The cluster of balls measures 1.9x1.5x1.4cm. No damage to this excellent specimen. Na Zdorovye!

	Olmiite Sphere Specimen #Olmcal10 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 5.7 x 3.2 x 3.0cm Small Cabinet $795 This specimen consists of one large "ball" (2.4x2.0x2.0cm) of dark butterscotch colored olmiite on matrix. There are a few small scalenohedral calcite xls found around the edge of the "ball". No damage to this excellent specimen. I side lit the specimen in the photo directly below to highlight its incredible color. This is a true representation of its incredible color and luster. This is one COOL rock. Enjoy!

	Olmiite Sphere Specimen #Olmcal11 N'Chwaning Mine Kuruman Cape Province South Africa 2.4 x 2.2 x 2.2cm Thumbnail $595 For intensity of color in the olmiite, this piece is the KING. When Paul handed me the small flat of hemispherical pieces, my eye instantly went to this piece as it SCREAMS color. It consists of a "ball" of burnt orange colored olmiite on a small bit of matrix. Tiny bit of edge "fray" where it came of the matrix, but I it is negligible and does not detract from the specimens excellent color and luster. I side lit the specimen in the photo directly to the left to highlight its incredible color. The last two photos most accurately portray this specimens intense color. If you're looking for an olmiite specimen that displays great color, then this specimen is for you! Enjoy!

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