Calcite (multi-generational)

Item Description

Striking, colorful and sculptural 360-degree mounded cluster of intergrown multi-generational calcite rhombohedrons from the well-known Leiping Mine of China. Three generations of calcite compose the impressive rhombs, to 4.1 cm on edge. The highly lustrous, very glassy, transparent to translucent, mostly colorless 3rd generation calcite outer layer is up to 5 mm thick and preferentially coats some of the rhomb faces. The striking rust-red, hematite-included 2nd generation is next and the broken base reveals the 1st generation lustrous, translucent, bone-white calcite. Very interesting, variable calcite crystal chemistry here. Specimens of this unusual multi-generational habit came out in the early-2000s.