Gypsum on Calcite cast from Mexico, Chihuahua, Naica

An utterly fascinating and highly unusual small cabinet combination piece, from the famous mines at Naica. Two, textbook classic, water-clear, tabular, doubly terminated gypsum spear points, to 7.7 cm, are dramatically set on the mounded hollow pseudomorph. A large calcite rhombohedron has been dissolved away underneath to form a hollow cast on which the gypsum sits, and the outer coating is covered with tiny gemmy dogtooth calcite crystals. The inside of the cast is also partially coated with calcite crystals and has an usual elongated, striated appearance. Gentle edge bruising to the soft gypsum crystals is certainly only a modest detraction and is to be expected given the softness and age of the piece (likely 1980s). The sharp symmetry and total lack of color make the sparkle pop on this outstanding Naica combination piece.