Calcite (classic from 1800s)

Item Description

If you pick up any old mineralogy book from the so-called Golden Age of mineralogy, and look at the classics shown from Europe as scientists were describing and learning about symmetry and classification, you will see these dramatic calcites again and again, illustrated as far back as the 1700s. St. Andreasberg is a major silver-mining district that dates back further still. From the dawn of serious mineral collecting in Europe, these calcites were desired and traded amongs the collecting nobility and scientific elite of the day. Today, especailly large and showy specimens are seldom seen on the market and hard to obtain for the collector in this quality range. This specimen has the dramatic columnar crystals with slight white color-zoning, which I think you can safely say is THE classic style for the locale, most known. Crystals reach 2 cm in size and spray dramatically from a common center. For a handsized specimen, that doesnt break the bank, this is really a good piece. Valued $2500