Cuprian Calcite ex. Halpern, Zinn Collections

Item Description

The well-known Shuikoushan Mine produced a small, and exceptional, find of Cuprian Calcites in the mid to late 1990's (and we have not seen any since then). The intergrown rhombs range up to 9mm, and they appear to have almost a slight curvature to them. The fine stepped-growth on the faces may cause that effect, and I suspect that is the reason that these were originally mis-identified as Smithsonite. The color of these translucent Calcites is a light olive-green, and the luster is excellent. With the piece being so uniform in color, it is hard not to get lost in the details of form and geometry here - the closer you look, the more you appreciate the quality and aesthetics of these crystals. None have been found here since then. Formerly in the Marty Zinn collection, as well. A unique specimen. Valued $2000