KUTNOHORITE / MANGANOAN CALCLITE and RHODOCHROSITE

About 1300 million years ago a widespread hydrothermal event occured in the north-western portion of the Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa, which reach extremely high temperatures, decarbonating and desilicating portions of the Hotazel Fromation, causing it to upgrade the manganese content of the ore.

This event is of great significance from a collectors point of view, as a wide range of rare as well as unusual mineral combinations were produced, ( of the 150 mineral species mined here, 10 to date have only been found in the Kalahari manganese fields and a further 26 found at less than 4 other mines world wide ).

Among the minerals collected from this area the most beautiful and prized specimens are generally of KUTNOHORITE, MANGANOAN CALCITE and RHODOCHROSITE.

KUTNOHORITE is a rare mineral belonging to the Carbonate and Dolomite group. It is often difficult to distinguish from Dolomite except the increased desity in KUTNOHORITE. Found in white, pale yellow and pink colours, it is generally massive, or granular and the crystal system is Rhombohedra and translucent. It is closely associated with RHODOCHROSITE and MANGANOAN CALCITE .

KUTNOHORITE AND MANGANOAN CALCITE, (as with all pink CALCITES), are considered the gentlest of healing stones, and are wonderful to work with if you are feeling vulnerable, guilty or hurt. They are said to be the stone of fairies and gentle earth spirits who work with damaged plants, wounded animals and sad, or sick, children and old people. Keeping either KUTNOHORITE or MANGANOAN-CALCITE in your home and/or workplace helps to restore emotional secuity and lower stress if you are under pressure.