Calcite coated by Pyrite on Quartz (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

Here we have an uncommon (for this locality) and beautiful combination featuring a pair of tapered scalenohedral crystals of Calcite measuring up to 4.2 cm long which are coated by small, sparkling, metallic, pale golden colored striated cubes of Pyrite measuring up to about 3 mm sitting atop a matrix of stubby pyramidal Quartz crystals with a slight reddish tint due to tiny Hematite (Specularite) inclusions. It's strange that the Pyrite crystals are almost exclusively coating only the Calcites, as the Quartz crystals are virtually unblemished. I can see some tiny rhombic groups of Dolomite on the piece as well for a nice touch. Very little damage, only the periphery is contacted where it was removed from the pocket wall. I did a fairly lengthy search online to find another piece from this mine that looked like this, and I honestly couldn't find one, so if you're a fan of Chinese minerals or attractive mineral associations, don't miss out on this lovely and showy display quality piece from this famous mineral collection. Priced in our inventory at $950 retail. From the collection of Dr. Stephen Smale. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.