Calcite stalactite (3 generations - old classic) Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Sculptural and impressive large multi-generational stalactitic calcite from the historic and famous mines at St Andreasberg. The unseen core of the stalactite is a large, lustrous and translucent gray-white scalenohedron. Striking stepped-growth columns of small 2nd generation rhombs envelop all sides of the piece. Iron oxides tint the columns on the front of the piece, while the rhombs on the back are intensely sparkly, untinted and gemmy. Very interesting crystal chemistry and fluid flow here! Dramatically, two very glassy, gem-like faceted complex 3rd generation calcite rhombs, to 4.0 cm, are strikingly set on the stalactite. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 5655 and acquired from Al McGuinness in the late 1960s. Kay assembled a nice suite of classics and rarities from this famed district. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien-Welt" November-December 2017). The last mine closed in 1910. See the Mineralogical Record St. Andreasberg Special Issue, May-June, 2017, Vol. 48, No. 3. Striking variable pink calcite fluorescence, due to the variable iron content of the calcite rhombs! Complete all-around and pristine, this is a fascinating multi-generational calcite stalactite from St Andreasberg.