N’Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari Manganese Field, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
1cm x 5cm-Large crystal
Plate 3cm x 2cm
Sturmanite is named to honor Bozidar Darko Sturman, a Canadian Mineralogist at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for his contributions to systematic mineralogy. Sturmanite is an uncommon secondary mineral found in metamorphosed manganese deposits in South Africa and Russia.
Typically Sturmanite crystals are .64cm or less in size. This 5cm golden translucent crystal is a giant in comparison. The central crystal, as well as the four smaller “sidecar” crystals are intact with hexagonal terminations and a waxy luster. There is a thin plate of manganite and calcite attached to the main crystal which adds interest and contrast.
Photo credit: Tom Spann
