Australian Minerals, Broken Hill, New South Wales

Bustamite

Bustamite from Broken Hill NSW

Specimen Details

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.

Bustamite Info

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

Rare

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.

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