Feature Gems & Gemology, Winter 1982, Vol. 18, No. 4

Gem-Quality Friedelite from the Kalahari Manganese Field near Kuruman, South Africa


Gem-quality friedelite was discovered by chance during shaft-sinking operations in a new, deep manganese mine near Kuruman. This article reports on the general geology and mineralization of the friedelite, speculates on the age and origin of the deposit, and describes the gemological properties of this material.