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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals F-J |
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Inesite |
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Name
Inesite
Chemistry
Ca2Mn7Si10O28(OH)2 - 5H2O, Hydrated Calcium Manganese Silicate
Uses
As mineral specimens
Color
Pink to orange or flesh-red to rose or brownish
Hardness
6
Specific gravity
3
Inesite is a mineral that is not particularly common, but Wessels mine has produced some of the finest examples of this mineral found anywhere in the world.
Small bladed crystals and groups of these crystals forming grape-like bunches of inesite were found during the mid 1970's and early 1980's. Then in May 1992 some superb specimens were discovered. These are deep red, transparent, thin tabular crystals that are arranged in radiating fan like groups. As if this was not enough, associated minerals include sprays of white euhedral natrolite ( a first occurrence for this mineral here). Perfect spheres of of fibrous xonotlite and pink crystals of datolite. This was a one of occurrence and similar habits and associations have not been found since.
In April to June 1996, several thousand specimens of small acicular crystals of inesite were discovered at N'Chwaning II mine. These specimens have a very simple appearance consisting of grass-like mats of inesite covering highly breciated manganese ore.
The commonly seen prismatic crystals have a slanted or "chisel-shaped" termination. At first glance the shorter crystals may be mistaken for rhombohedrons which have six equally slanted faces. Inesite will show only one steeply slanted face, while the other faces have a much less inclined slant. This is important for identification because the pink to rose colored mineral rhodochrosite forms rhombohedrons. Another similar looking mineral is the silicate rhodonite.
Inesite is not a common mineral in rock shops and in mineral displays. However it can form attractive pink or rose colored specimens that are sought after by mineral collectors.
