Calcite (RARE scepter habit)

Item Description

Dalnegorsk is famous for producing some superb quality display specimens of well-known minerals such as Calcite, but in the early 1990s, there was a very limited and distinctive discovery of what are some of the most unique example of the species ever found. These rarely seen scepter habit crystals have all but disappeared from the market, but they occasionally pop up every now and then. The habit is rare for Calcite, as the scepter style growth is more commonly associated with Quartz. Additionally, the Calcites are rather gemmy, which is just an added bonus for the attractive habit. This piece is a good quality example featuring a well-formed trigonal of gemmy, colorless Calcite sitting atop a thin "stem" to create the distinctive shape. If you do some research, you'll see that most of the scepter Calcites from this locality typically have a smaller crystal on top and the stem comprises the majority of the specimen (this is sometimes called the "nailhead" style), so this piece is a break from the norm as the upper portion is much bigger and pronounced. The piece is in great condition overall, with no major damage that I can see. If you're a fan of Calcites, unusual crystal morphology, or if you're looking to add to your Dalnegorsk suite, don't pass this one up. It's close to 30 years old, and it's unlikely that similar specimens will be found again. Priced in our inventory at $1,500.