Kutnohorite Crystals

Kutnohorite Crystals. Copyright © Rob Lavinsky

Kutnohorite

 

Kutnohorite is a rare calcium manganese carbonate mineral with magnesium and iron that is a member of the dolomite group. The crystals often occur in rounded granular masses, sometimes in fan, but rarely in single crystals. It is a hydrothermal mineral from low to medium temperature, it is often associated with other carbonates such as dolomite or ankerite with which it forms series. It is a mineral that is not used in any particular area, specimens are only for collection.It forms a series with dolomite, and with ankerite.

Kutnohorite occurs typically in manganiferous sediments, associated with rhodochrosite, aragonite and calcite.

System:Trigonal
Colour:White, pale rose, pink, ...
Hardness:3½ - 4
Name:Named in 1901 by Antonín Bukovský for the type locality - Kutna Hora, Bohemia, Czech Republic.

Photo:
locality: Wessels Mine (Wessel's Mine), Hotazel, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa