Calcite (GEM crystal - rare for the locality) (ex Arnaud Collection, et al.)

Item Description

Typically, the Calcites from Joplin are a golden or light golden hue, but this piece predates the more familiar pieces from 50+ years ago, as it features a style and color (or lack thereof) that is rarely seen in the material. This historic and fine quality specimen actually comes with an old hand-written label from the University of Missouri that places it from Joplin, and I have not seen another like it from the area. The specimen features a notably sharp, well-formed, GEMMY, "jewel"-like modified trigonal crystal of colorless Calcite measuring 2.2 cm, set in an open vug in Limestone matrix. The vug is lined with many smaller additional sparkling Calcites, which seems to have been deposited over a preexisting layer of a metallic mineral, possibly Sphalerite or Pyrite/Marcasite. The Calcite is pristine and beautiful up close. A must-have antique specimen for any fan of worldwide Calcites or minerals from the Tri-State District. As mentioned, the piece comes with a hand-written label from the University of Missouri (#27031), along with an additional label from Excalibur Minerals, where the number 2300 is written on the back. This number is from the collection of George Feist. The piece was most recently in the collection of John Arnaud, and has resided in our inventory since we acquired John's collection a few years ago.