Calcite

Item Description

A large, handsome rhombohedron of Calcite from the Dzhezkazgan district in Kazakhstan, which is known for sulfide minerals but not for large fine calcites like this. This large, lustrous rhombohedral Calcite crystal measures 6.2 cm on its longest edge and has a mocha tint to the exterior possibly due to the speckling of very fine Hematite just under the surface. Some of the surface and the interior is transparent to translucent and you can see partway into the crystal in places. The two prominent display faces have good luster and exhibit interesting growth patterns on their surfaces. The top of the crystal had numerous, 1 to 2.5 mm, brassy yellow-green Chalcopyrite crystals concentrated at one corner. There is also a 2.5 cm sidecar Calcite of similar character at the lower left. A very nice Calcite of an atypical style from this locality. old material, probably from the 1980s-90s when this was a Soviet era mine.