Calcite (botryoidal)

Item Description

This locality has the distinction of producing some of the most unusual yet iconic Calcite specimens I can think of. Calcite is obviously an abundant mineral species that is found is a wide variety of mineralized deposits around the world, but how often have you seen botryoidal Calcite? The color of this material is even a bit different as you could simply describe it as "yellow", but it has a certain overtone that gives it a very distinctive look. So we have a bizarre habit and an unusual color together along with the fact that they formed on lava rock - specifically tephritic lava - and considering how hard the matrix is, it's a wonder that any decent matrix specimens are recovered from here. This piece hosts a few of these interesting and unique Calcite "balls", the largest measuring 1.3 cm across. Hard to find on the market now, as I'm told the best pieces came out around 25-30 years ago.