Calcite with Mottramite

Item Description

These large, fine stepped growth Calcites and their sharp edges are a classic and a quickly recognizable style for Tsumeb. The big, somewhat flattened rhombohedral crystals, which range up to an amazing 7 cm on edge, are gemmy to translucent, sharply formed, and they all have superb luster. All of them exhibit a stepped, rhombohedral growth pattern on every face giving them a unique look and great aesthetics. They are in loose, open clusters all over the piece so the shape of each Calcite is distinct. The Calcites rest on an altered matrix that shows green, drusy Duftite and one area shows some clusters of 3 to 7 mm, prismatic Mimetite crystals that are lightly coated with a green-yellow crust of an unidentified mineral (likely, it is mottramite). There is only a small amount of edge wear on a few of the Calcites, trivial in context. Most such specimens are in the 2-5 inch size and so this is not only huge, but markedly unusual in that it is a complete all around 360 degree display piece. The architectural and mineralogical qualities of this large piece are quite good. The piece also shows moderate reddish to pink fluorescence under short and long wave UV, respectively. Valued $5000-plus. This is a classic Tsumeb Calcite specimen, in a very large size! Her numbering indicates a piece from the 1960s.