Calcite on Chalcedony (old classic) (ex Al Kidwell Collection)

Item Description

Idar-Oberstein is the most famous gemstone and gem carving district in Germany, and arguably all of Europe. The area has a rich tradition of producing some of the finest pieces of gem art ever created, which goes back hundreds of years, to the early days when an entire industry arose around polishing and carving the various Agates / geodes found nearby. This piece is a classic example of said material, featuring an exposed geode that is lined with beautiful light yellow to golden colored scalenohedral crystals of Calcite sitting atop multi-colored (blue, purple, red, etc) layers of Chalcedony. The largest Calcite crystal measures 2.2 cm long. All of the Calcites are notably lustrous, sharp, gemmy and well-formed. Minimal roughness can be seen along the peripheral edge where the geode was cracked open, but it's a very good quality example of this beloved old-time material. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.