Inesite

Inesite is a rose-pink to peach-orange manganese-calcium chain silicate famous from a single world-class locality: the Yaogangxian tungsten mine in Hunan, China. It forms exquisite radiating sprays of bladed crystals that have made it one of the iconic Chinese collector species of the 21st century.

Properties

• Formula: Ca₂Mn₇Si₁₀O₂₈(OH)₂·5H₂O
• Crystal system: Triclinic
• Hardness: 6
• Color: Pink, rose, peach-orange, salmon
• Streak: White
• Luster: Vitreous to pearly
• Cleavage: Perfect on {010}, good on {100}
• Density: ~3.0 g/cm³

Occurrence in China

The Yaogangxian mine, Hunan is the global type locality for collector-grade inesite. The mineral grows in late-stage hydrothermal pockets within the W-Sn-Be deposit, perched on quartz, calcite, fluorite and arsenopyrite. Smaller occurrences at Wessels (South Africa) and Trinity Co. (California) exist but cannot match Yaogangxian quality.

Identification

Pink color + bladed/sheaf-like aggregates + Yaogangxian mining association is essentially diagnostic. Distinguish from rhodochrosite (rhombohedral, softer) and rhodonite (triclinic but blockier, often massive).

Collector Notes

Inesite is one of the most photogenic Chinese minerals — fan-shaped pink sprays on snow-white quartz drusy. Top specimens command premium prices internationally.