Charlesite

An impressive crystallised specimen of the extremely rare mineral Charlesite from the N'Chwaning mines at Kuruman, in Northern Cape Province, South Africa.  Charlesite is a complex sulphate containing Ca, Al, Si, B and is of particularly very low relative density at 1.79, therefore making any such specimen very light weight.  Although the colour of Charlesite can vary greatly, this is a superb sulphur yellow and highly translucent, with the blocky crystals developed in parallel alignment.  This large miniature is composed almost entirely of Charlesite, but with its base coated with black micro-crystals of a manganese ore, along with similar small patches scattered amongst the specimen.  A superb specimen of this very rare mineral.