Calcite (Cobalt-bearing) (rare Spanish locality) (ex Shields Flynn Collection)

Item Description

A rarely seen cobalt-bearing Calcite specimen from the San Carlos Mine in Aragon, Spain. This old cobalt producing locality according to the listing on mindat.org dates back to 1730, when cobalt was used as a pigment for ceramics in Europe. This piece is a wonderful example of this seldom seen material featuring somewhat amorphous masses of beautiful rich purplish-pink cobalt-bearing Calcite (the largest group measures 1.8 cm) sitting on matrix. The Calcites show good gemminess when backlit. You almost never see these available on the market, so don't miss out if you're a fan of Calcite, Spanish minerals or old locality specimens. From the collection of Shields Flynn.