Quartz and Calcite included with Hedenbergite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

The remote Huanggang deposit in Inner Mongolia, China, has become a prolific producer of fine quality crystallized specimens over the last 10+ years. Some of the most distinctive and unique minerals from any Chinese locality have come from this area. This beautiful cabinet display specimen hosts a group of highly compressed, "wafer"-liked crystals of Calcite sitting atop and partially wedged between prismatic Quartz crystals. Both the Calcites and the Quartz crystals get their green coloring from Hedenbergite inclusions, though in the Calcite it's a pastel hue, while the Quartz is a darker mossy green shade. The largest Calcite measures 4.2 cm across, and the largest Quartz crystal measures 7.7 cm long. Overall, the piece is in superb condition, as I cannot find any major damage to the Calcite group, just some a few spots where it was attached to the pocket wall. A wonderful and showy example of this gorgeous material. Priced at $1,800 in the inventory. Ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.