Botyroidal Calcite (classic Italy find) Kidwell Coll.

Item Description

Unusual botyroidal calcite is a classic species from this now extinct Italian quarry in tephritic lava (not basalt). An impressive, 3.0 cm, waxy luster, translucent brown hemisphere dominates the sculptural large vug peppered with smaller light yellow botryoids. The large botryoid is significant for the locale. Ex Al Kidwell Collection and acquired from Rossano Carlini in 1980, when they came out to the market. Note that this has one slight ding which can be moderated (if you want to) with a spot of acid. Choice and excellent large material from the classic Italian locale located northwest of Rome, which has not produced much since the 1980s. As a young calcite collector at the time, I had one of these as well, dearly bought from a European dealer back in the 1980s. They were treasures of the calcite collecting world! Now, seldom seen.