Calcite (doubly-terminated crystals) on Baryte

Item Description

Calcite is one of the most diverse and abundant minerals on Earth, yet there are a few localities where the species stands out for its superior quality, color and form. The esteemed Elmwood Mine in Tennessee was for many years the source of world-class Calcites, regarded by some collectors in the top tiers of the species, as the best crystals are amazingly gemmy, with superb form and color. Oddly, there are only a handful of mineral species found at the mine, but they remain as some the most recognizable crystallized specimens of their respective species in the world. This attractive piece features a predominant, very sharp, highly lustrous, very gemmy, light golden colored, doubly-terminated scalenohedral crystal of Calcite sitting on a small somewhat spherical group of off-white colored Baryte. There is a second smaller doubly-terminated Calcite at the base of the piece which shows excellent twinning, for a nice touch. The main Calcite crystal has a separation mark on the back (not damage, just a point where another Calcite once grew), so it's not 100% pristine, but if it were perfect, I could see this one priced in the $5-6K range retail. Still a very showy and fine quality example of these true classics from this world-famous locality.