Calcite (Mn-bearing) (highly sculptural specimen)

Item Description

At first glance, I thought this piece could be a "cast" or a pseudomorph, but I'm certain it's only Calcite, and there is no replacement of another species taking place here. The piece is a superb, highly aesthetic, three-dimensional, full-sized miniature consisting of tabular / compressed, bladed crystals of soft pink manganese-bearing Calcite measuring up to 2.7 cm across. There is no matrix, and no other associated species, and the piece is crystallized on all sides, but it's not a complete "floater", as I can see that one crystal is cleaved on the back, and there are a few tiny imperfections, so it's not 100% pristine. With that said, it's one of the most sculptural and eye-catching Calcite specimens I've ever seen from any Peruvian locality. You'd think this might be from South Africa or possibly Colorado, but legitimately from Pachapaqui, and if you're a fan of Calcites, Peruvian minerals or highly aesthetic specimens, don't pass this one up, because I don't know if we'll see another like it. The piece is certainly 40+ years old, and dates back at least to the 1980s if not the 1970s.