Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
triclinicuncommonInosilicates (Pyroxenoid Group)
Bustamite
CaMn(Si2O6)
This specimen features a prominent mass of reddish-pink to orange-brown bustamite crystals, exhibiting a vitreous luster and forming a substantial mineral aggregate.
Bustamite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
6Crystal System
triclinicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
perfect on {100}, good on {110}, distinct on {001}Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
3.35Colors
pink, reddish-brown, reddish-orange, grayTransparency
translucentType Locality
Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South AfricaMineral Group
Inosilicates (Pyroxenoid Group)Uses
collector's mineral, minor ore of manganeseAssociated Minerals
rhodonite, tephroite, johannsenite, kutnahorite, calcite, quartz, braunite, hausmanniteRarity
uncommonGeological Context
Bustamite is a pyroxenoid mineral that typically forms in metamorphosed manganese-rich deposits, often found in association with other manganese silicates and oxides.
