large Calcite with Hematite

Item Description

Many, highly lustrous scalenohedrons of calcite, to 3.3 cm in length, festoon this impressive and rather large matrix specimen. The calcite crystals are colored with a secondary preferential inclusion of brick-red-brown calcite with color due to hematite, from this large open pit Iron Mine in the rich mining district of Daye-Huangshi in Hubei Province. Interestingly, you can see several different subtle variations of the styles of calcite growth on this one specimen, as shown here. Each side looks a little different, as well - one more red and one side more sparkly. These kinds of oriented inclusions, where they face one angle or one side, are really fascinating in details, in person!