Calcite (excellent rare locality specimen)

Item Description

A stunningly fine quality and highly displayable example of the rarely seen Calcite specimens from the lesser-known Saint-Philippe Quarry in Québec, Canada. This limestone quarry is not known for producing much in the way of showy display specimens, but this piece is certainly an exception. It is a dramatic, eye-catching full-sized cabinet featuring attractive "poker chip"-esque discoidal Calcite crystals, which are aesthetically overgrowing (epitaxially overgrowing) a previous generation of elongated scalenohedra, creating attractive scepter habit style crystals. This particular habit of Calcite is often referred to as "nail head" crystal. The front / display side of the piece is a muted grey hue due to the inclusion of micro iron oxide and tiny sparkling golden crystals of Marcasite, but the reverse side of the specimen shows that the Calcites are a very pale yellow hue internally, and rather gemmy and lustrous on the surface! I can see a few minor spots of damage, but nothing that takes away from the overall presentation of the piece. This is certainly the BEST Calcite specimen from this locality that we've ever had to offer.