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Mineral Specimens with Calcite
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ex. Harvard University
A remarkable, historic locality piece from the early to mid 1800s, this is a large, fat acanthite crystal perched on a pedestal of calcite. This is a superb crystal for the locality, and a very displayable specimen overall. It is a trim from a famous Karabacek (1878-1963) specimen long in Harvard Univeristy, though has much changed in form as it was physically trimmed down to an elegant miniature and cleaned properly. For more on the Karabacek Collection, see the Min Record archives http://www.minrec.org/labels.asp?colid=316. The original specimen which was apportioned into several pieces (by the previous owner) is shown here as posted on MinDat: http://www.mindat.org/photo-215994.html. Elegant and fine, this is a superb locality specimen and an important piece
Kongsberg silver specimens are frankly not as rare as we would often like to think, when selling them. However, Kongsberg silvres with such character, and such intricate curling for the size, with calcite association no less...this is not so common! Like the gold above, Gamini picked this piece because he said it looked alive, and he wanted to try to convey that feeling in his painting (which I personally think he does). The lustrous, bright calcite crystals provide a contrast and an accent both, helping to give this piece a bit of life and 3-dimensionality because the eye tries to place them "on the tree" in 3 dimensions. I think that, for the size and price range, this is as good as any Kongsberg I have had and that the painting is simply a bonus to a great specimen that is worthy on its own merits. ex. Kevin Ward Collection. Price includes specimen, painting, and custom lucite base for display.
Few large specimens of any quality were recovered from this find, or rather trickle of small pockets over this past summer. Here is a rare, dramatic large specimen that is so colorful it looks fake. Emplaced on a vein portion of limonite matrix are intergrown crystals of glassy and translucent,rombohedral calcite, to 1.25 cm across. What really makes this special are the rich inclusions of aurichalcite investing into the calcite rhombs, resulting in the most beautiful teal color. Some aurichalcite remains free of the calcites, as bunches of tightly packed crystals amidst the rhombs. When closely examining the calcite, it is possible to see the fibrous aurichalcite crystals preserved inside, thus showing that this is intergrowth, as much or more so than simple inclusions. Some crystals of calcite may be more aurichalcite than calcite now! The color is , truly, mesmerizing! Because they are also lustrous, this is hard to photograph and I assure you the color and lustre both are better in person because we had the camera compromise to try to get each in some degree.
2 well-formed rhombs of calcite, to 1.75 cm across, which are heavily invested with fibrous aurichalcite, site nicely in this vug! The crystals are glassy and translucent to transparent, with an exceptional teal color. Since the rhombs are large, showy, and colorful, this specimen exhibits all the characteristics of a fine competition level specimen.
Perched on a small amount of limonite matrix is a cluster of intergrown, glassy and translucent, calcite rhombs, to 1.35 cm across. They are heavily included by fibrous aurichalcite, giving the specimen a super, teal color. Very minor peripheral contacting has occurred at the edges where removed from the pocket, easily overtaken by the outstanding coloration and not a distraction. This is one of the richest overall paltes of solid colored crystals from the find. When closely examining the calcite, it is possible to see the fibrous aurichalcite crystals preserved inside, thus showing that this is intergrowth, as much or more so than simple inclusions. Some crystals of calcite may be more aurichalcite than calcite now! The color is , truly, mesmerizing! Because they are also lustrous, this is hard to photograph and I assure you the color and lustre both are better in person because we had the camera compromise to try to get each in some degree.
In the center of this matrix specimen is a large, rather equant, rhomb of glassy and translucent, calcite, measuring 1.9 cm across.It has been mostly included by fibrous aurichalcite, exhibiting a spectacular, teal blue color. The top left termination is gemmier due to a smaller amount of aurichacite and thus more transparency to the calcite. This is a stark and dramatic miniature! When closely examining the calcite, it is possible to see the fibrous aurichalcite crystals preserved inside, thus showing that this is intergrowth, as much or more so than simple inclusions. Some crystals of calcite may be more aurichalcite than calcite now! The color is , truly, mesmerizing! Because they are also lustrous, this is hard to photograph and I assure you the color and lustre both are better in person because we had the camera compromise to try to get each in some degree.
Fibrous aurichalcite has partially included this matrix specimen of rhombohedral calcite, giving it a two-tone color effect. Most crystals of this find are slightly included or fully included, making this unusual. The rhombs reach 1.8 cm across, and are glassy and translucent. Both major rhombs are complete, though with very minor edge wear on rear corners; but the smaller white crystal in front-middle is probably a cleave (perhaps in the pocket), and so the price is reduced. Where the aurichalcite inclusions are most present, the crystals exhibit a rich, teal color. Where they are less present, the crystals are nearly colorless. Very aesthetic!
Nestled in a vug of limonite are intergrown clusters of rhombohedral calcite, to .7 cm across, heavily included by fibrous aurichalcite. The rhombs are glassy and translucent with a great teal blue color due to the rich investment by aurichalcite.
A thin crust of light green aurichalcite on limonite gives way to glassy and translucent rhombs of calcite, to 1.0 cm across. Most of the rhombs are included by fibrous aurichalcite, which, in turn, emits a glowing, rich teal, color. A few rhombs have not been included by aurichalcite, and these are basically colorless, a nice accent.
Aesthetically perched on limonite matrix, are a cluster of , rather equant, glassy and gemmy rhombs of calcite, to 1.3 cm across. Partially included by fibrous aurichalcite, the rhombs exhibit a pastel teal color.These rhombs are far more gemmy than those that are heavily included. Lovely!
An unusual piece in this lot! Intergrown, thin, disc-like crystals of glassy and gemmy, colorless calcite are aesthetically perched high on a thin drapery of teal blue aurichalcite. All of this is on a sliver of limonite matrix. They are to 1.5 cm across and really super sharp, and gemmy clear. The contrast is striking and unusual!
Jauntily perched on smaller crystals as well as limonite matrix, is a large, glassy and translucent rhomb of calcite, measuring 2.3 cm across. It has been transformed to a rich teal color by fibrous aurichalcite investing and enriching it. Superb miniature! The large crystal is very dramatic, in particular.
Rather equant, glassy and translucent, rhombs of calcite, to 1.5 cm across, have been infused by fibrous aurichalcite, resulting in an intense teal coloration. Very minor edge wear is present but insignificant in context as this has sharp geometry and the most intense color of any here but perhaps 2 other pieces. This is one of the richest overall paltes of solid colored crystals from the find. When closely examining the calcite, it is possible to see the fibrous aurichalcite crystals preserved inside, thus showing that this is intergrowth, as much or more so than simple inclusions. Some crystals of calcite may be more aurichalcite than calcite now! The color is , truly, mesmerizing! Because they are also lustrous, this is hard to photograph and I assure you the color and lustre both are better in person because we had the camera compromise to try to get each in some degree.
Rhombs of intergrown, glassy and translucent, calcite, to .8 cm across totally cover a limonite matrix. The rhombs are infused with fibrous aurichalcite, resulting in a lovely teal color. VERY GLASSY lustre!
Sitting high on a limonite matrix are tabular rhombs of glassy and translucent, calcite, to 1.2 cm across. These rhombs have been heavily include by fibrous aurichalcite resulting in a beautiful, rich teal coloration. Very aesthetic!
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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