Provenite

Hotazel Mine

MineUnknownDraft data

27.2000° S, 22.9500° E · ± 10 km

Rhodochrosite from Northern Cape, South Africa, with photos of specimens from this locality.

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Minerals found here

Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite at Hotazel Mine

Gemmy cherry-red rhodochrosite scalenohedra on matrix from the Hotazel Mine.
Gemmy cherry-red rhodochrosite scalenohedra on matrix from the Hotazel Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A silky, highly reflective ball-shaped rhodochrosite aggregate about 2.5 cm across, Hotazel Mine.
A silky, highly reflective ball-shaped rhodochrosite aggregate about 2.5 cm across, Hotazel Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Pink rhodochrosite rhombs on white baryte blades from the Hotazel Mine.
Pink rhodochrosite rhombs on white baryte blades from the Hotazel Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Pink rhodochrosite rhombs almost covering white baryte matrix, Hotazel Mine.
Pink rhodochrosite rhombs almost covering white baryte matrix, Hotazel Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Formula
MnCO₃
Morphology
Scalenohedra on matrix, silky ball-shaped aggregates, and rhombs on barite blades
Typical size
Crystals and balls to about 2.5 cm
Color / luster
Cherry-red to rich pink; glassy, gemmy
Associated minerals
Baryte
Availability
Scarce

Sources: SRC-871 SRC-872 SRC-873

About Rhodochrosite →

Geology of the locality

Setting
Manganese ore of the Kalahari Manganese Field.
Region
Northern Cape
Country
South Africa

Coordinates are those of Hotazel town (Wikipedia); the mine lies at the town, hence +/- 10 km. Rhodochrosite rests on the Commons specimen labels.

Sources: SRC-865

Sources

  1. SRC-865 · Website
    HotazelWikipedia contributors · Wikipedia
  2. SRC-871 · Website
    File:Rhodochrosite-119386.jpgRobert M. Lavinsky · Wikimedia Commons (dealer label)
  3. SRC-872 · Website
    File:Rhodochrosite-180800.jpgRobert M. Lavinsky · Wikimedia Commons (dealer label)
  4. SRC-873 · Website
    File:Rhodochrosite-20691.jpgRobert M. Lavinsky · Wikimedia Commons (dealer label)

Draft data from the Provenite workbook. Check entries against the cited sources before relying on them. Photos are open-licence images from Wikimedia Commons; the author and licence are given with each photo.