SM21-082
Calcite on Calcite with Hedenbergite (floater)
Huanggang Mines, Hexigten Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, China
Miniature, 4.5 x 3.1 x 2.8 cm
$950.00
Order Now
These unique, hexagon-shaped Calcites from the Huanggang Mines in China are colored green by included Hedenbergite. This doubly-terminated, "poker chip" Calcite crystal is sharply formed with a distorted hexagonal outline with broad, flat terminal faces that have good luster varying from a subtle, sparkly satin luster on the large faces (due to a coating of finely crystalline Calcite) to glassy on the narrow prism faces around the edges. This vitreous luster on the edges really accentuates both the color and the translucence, and the subtle differences in luster and appearance between the terminations and prism faces add to the visual interest. The single crystals sits perfectly for display due to a spherical cluster of Calcite on the backside composed of a myriad of thin, hexagonal plates in a tight group. These are reminiscent of the tabular, poker chip Calcites from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, but with subtle green color. This is one of the last pieces of a group we purchased from the miners shortly after they came out in 2016 and it is a fine miniature example from this find that hasn't been duplicated since. It fluoresces a shocking and surprising saturated red color, in UV light. A floater, complete all around with no point of contact!