Calcite ("phantom" crystals) on Mottramite

Item Description

Here we have a wondeful, showy, three-dimensional display specimen from the world's most famous locality. Several very sharp, well-formed, "smoky" colored rhombohedra of Calcite measuring up to 3.7 cm are gracefully sitting atop a layer of classic green Mottrammite matrix. Not only are the Calcite crystals large and very gemmy, but some of them have distinctive internal "phantoms" that make them really stand out when backlit. I love the sheer visceral appeal of the piece as it displays beautifully. The individual Calcite rhombs are wonderfully intergrown where they are not "jumbled" together and allow for each individual crystal to have its on distinct place on the specimen. A few of the Calcites hosts small black "spheres" which could be Mottrammite inclusions or another secondary species. There are a few nicks and bruises, so the piece is not 100% pristine, but if it were completely undamaged, I could easily see it valued around $5,000 retail. With that said, it's much closer to about $1,500-$2,000.