Oyelite , Calcite Locality: N'Chwaning II Mine, N'Chwaning Mines, Kuruman , Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province , South Africa ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 4.5 x 2.6 x 2.4 cm. A very aesthetic cluster with a central oyelite crystal of 11mm, flanked by smaller ones. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Oyelite
Oyelite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ca₅BSi₄O₁₃(OH)₃·4H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 2.62; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Oye, IMA status: approved, named in 1980.
A hydrothermal mineral in late-stage assemblages of several geological origins. At Crestmore and Fuka in classic calcic skarns.
It is found associated with Tatarinovite, pectolite, xonotlite, calcite, grossular, diopside (Bazhenovskoe); charlesite, bultfonteinite, rhodochrosite, hausmannite (N’Chwaning II mine).
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Jiro Oye (1900-1968), Professor of Mineralogy, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.