Quite often as mineral collectors and enthusiasts we come across these terms used to describe mineral specimens. Generally they command a premium price due to thier unusual nature - However, there is a fair amount of confusion about what category a specific specimen might fit into. Let's have a look at what it all means!

Manganese was not originally discovered in South Africa at the Kalahari Manganese Fields, as many people believe. In fact, it was found in Hout Bay, now a popular coastal tourist destination. Follow along as we explore this hidden gem!

The deposit is tho...

Oftentimes the history of a discovery is lost in the pages of history. Recently, in a collection of old mineralogical references acquired by the Cape Minerals team, we found a rather interesting description around the first find of Prehnite - Described in South Africa!

Richard M Pearl describes the mineral in his 1955 edition of "How to know rocks and minerals" as firs...