Cave Calcite (ex Henry de Linde Collection)

Item Description

This is a beautiful and dramatically showy display specimen of the famous Calcite stalactites that formed in the caves at Santa Eulalia. These so-called "Cave Calcites" are found in multiple world localities, but the pieces from Santa Eulalia are some of the best examples around. The inner portion of the piece is the first generation and is a soft chalky white hue with a gentle vitreous luster, but still has distinct crystal forms, while the second generation features much gemmier and more lustrous Calcite scalenohedra growing in an almost arborescent style. No major damage, save the base where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. From the collection of Henry de Linde (March 21, 1923 – April 4, 2019) of Hot Spring, Arkansas. Henry was one of the most prominent figures in the history of Arkansas mining and mineral collecting. Along with being a miner, mineral collector and an amateur mineralogist, de Linde was one of the founders of the Coon Creek Association mineral club. He was the owner of several key localities in Arkansas including the Diamond Jo Quarry (on the south rim of Magnet Cove), the type locality for Delindeite, which was named in his honor in 1987.