Inesite: The mineral inesite information and pictures

About

Inesite is an uncommon but appealing mineral that forms in attractive pink colors. Its crystals often have a very characteristic, chisel-shaped termination on one of the crystal angles. Inesite is likely named for the Greek term ines, which means fibers, alluding to the sometimes fibrous nature of this mineral.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

As agglomerates of tabular and bladed crystals. Crystals may appear rhombohedral or scalenohedral due to steep, chisel-shaped terminations. Often fibrous, radiating, and acicular. Occasionally globular, botryoidal, and radial.

Striking Features

Color and mode of occurrence

Environment

In hydrothermal replacement deposits of manganese-rich metamorphic rocks and serpentines.

Uses

Inesite specimens of quality are highly desired by mineral collectors.

Noteworthy Localities

Deep pink Inesite is found in the Fengjiashan Mine, Daye, Hubei Province, China. Well-crystallized and sprays were found at Broken Hill, Yancowinna Co., New South Wales, Australia; and small lavender-pink crystals at the Monte Nero Mine, Rocchetta di Vara, Liguria, Italy.

The Kalahari Manganese Field of South Africa, at both the Wessels Mine in Hotazel and the N'Chwaning Mines in Kuruman, have produced exceptional examples of Inesite, in the form of deep pinkish-red agglomerates of small spiky crystals. In the U.S., the premier locality for Inesite is the Hale Creek Mine, Trinity County, California.