Hematite-tinted Calcite (old classic, late 1800s)

Item Description

An old-time, classic, CABINET specimen from the famous iron mines of Egremont, England. Stout, glassy, transparent, colorless to hematite-tinted pink, calcite scalenohedrons richly and aesthetically cover the mounded matrix of hematite ore on this dramatic piece. The calcite crystals are up to 3.3 cm long and have unusual, modified, three-sided, pyramidal, terminations. For such rich coverage, the trivial scattered edgewear and few broken crystals are barely noticeable and are a very modest detraction. This is a very fine large example of this important calcite varietal from this historic locale. Probably 100 years old or older. Valued at $1250-1500 for quality and size.