Calcite, Sphalerite - image 1

Calcite, Sphalerite

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The Mineralogical Museum, University of Delaware

0 for sale

Calcite on sphalerite, 22.8-cm matrix with a 21.5-cm crystal, from the Elmwood mine near Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee. Collected in 1978 by a miner during the early days of the mine. Doubly terminated calcite crystals like this were called 'footballs' by the miners.

Product details

Species

Calcite, SphaleriteAbout Calcite →

Added on02/13/2026

Locality

USA, Tennessee, Elmwood MineRegional guide →

Publications

Mineralogical Record Mineral Collection University Of Delaware page 57

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Calcite

Learn about Calcite

diverse shapes, colors, and optical quirks; widely available yet scarce elite pieces from Elmwood and Charcas drive collecting value and display.

Calcite

Calcite from Elmwood Mine, USA

Elmwood Mine calcite is one of the great modern classics of American mineral collecting: honey, champagne, amber and cognac scalenohedra, often doubly terminated and twinned into sculptural “diamond” forms, set against black-brown sphalerite, purple fluorite, ivory barite, or gray carbonate matrix. The best crystals have a warm internal glow rather than merely surface color, with transparent terminations, bright vitreous luster, and enough size to dominate a cabinet. A fine Elmwood calcite does not look like generic calcite from a carbonate vein; it has a locality signature that experienced collectors recognize at a glance.