Spirit Quartz is found in South Africa. It's unusual in that drusy Amethyst grows over an opaque Quartz shaft, thus creating a sparkly, cactus-like specimen. I learned with considerable glee, that this Quartz was not named "Spirit Quartz," because of any isoteric, or transcendental reasons. The African miners named it Spirit Quartz because when they found the good color (a rich purple) they could then get paid and buy some of the readily available "mentholated Spirits," at the local liquor store. Apparently both Spirit Quartz and Mentholated spirits have the same purple color! 

This piece is aesthetic and has crystals that are on average 9 cm (3 1/2 inches) long. It displays well, and is in good condition. Unseen from the displayable angle, on the back there is a patch where some of the drusy Amethyst came off, thus exposing the primary Quartz shaft, probably when it was extracted.

OLMIITE1 - Olmiite on matrix
$ 215.00
N Chwanning II Mine, Kuruman, Republic of South Africa
thumbnail - 3.5 x 2.8 x 2 cm

Once regarded as Poldervaartite, this piece was later known to be Olmiite due to a higher concentration of Manganese than originally observed. This piece has all the best attributes from the Olmiite find that was part of the Charlie Key collection (which this came from), from a pocket mined around 2000. It has a rich color, and a bright sparkly luster. The form is good as well as the spherical habit of the mineral is plainly seen, while attached to the matrix. The newer finds, typically have a lighter color.

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

OLMIITE2 - Olmiite on matrix
$ 395.00
N Chwanning II Mine, Kuruman, Republic of South Africa
small cabinet - 5.2 x 4 2.7 cm

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

OLMIITE3 - Olmiite
$ 75.00
N Chwanning II Mine, Kuruman, Republic of South Africa
miniature - 4.8 x 4.3 x 1.2 cm

Once regarded as Poldervaartite, this mineral was later known to be Olmiite due to a higher concentration of Manganese than originally observed. This piece shows unique, bright barrel-like crystals on a matrix covered with druzy calcite. It is mounted on a 1 1/4" acrylic base (not pictured). There is a small ding on the mid right section of the piece, which is easily seen in the pics. Overall, a good sample of this interesting mineral. 

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