Bustamite from Broken Hill NSW
Bustamite is a calcium, manganese, iron clinopyroxene. This specimen was mined from Broken Hill which is renowned for having the worlds finest Bustamite crystals, by far! It is brown-red with some translucent sections.
I acquired this specimen from Tony from The Mineral Store Australia at the August 2016 Sydney Crystal Show.
Specimen Details
Chemical Formula: CaMn2+(Si2O6)
ID #: JG0005
Colour: Light pink to brown-red
Hardness: 5.5 – 6.5
Acquisition Date: 06/08/2016
Crystal System: Triclinic
Lustre: Vitreous
Dimensions: 103mm x 41mm x 30mm
Weight: 125g
Location: Broken Hill, NSW Australia
Rarity of Mineral
Did you know!?
Bustamite was named in honour of Mexican general Anastasio Bustamente (1780-1853). It is often regarded as a calcium-rich variety of Rhodonite, but it is scientifically classified as an individual separate mineral.