Calcite with Boulangerite inclusions (ex Bill and Anne Cook Collection)

Item Description

There are so many different styles/ habits / forms for Calcite around the world, but some of the most distinctive examples are the old classics from the Herja Mine in the Carpathian Mountains. This attractive large miniature / small cabinet sized piece comprises lustrous, layered "rosettes" (intergrown flattened rhombohedra) of Calcite with sharp faces which are included by silvery-grey Boulangerite. The attractive "twisted" form of the crystals is striking. I never tire of seeing these pieces, as they are some of my favorite Calcites from any locality. The unique habit of the Calcites is already intriguing, but the Boulangerite inclusions is just the cherry on top. Boulangerite is a fairly rare sulfosalt, so to see so much of it included inside the Calcite crystals is actually quite impressive, as you rarely encounter the species in large quantities from most locales around the world. From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio. This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the mi The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.