Calcite with Sphalerite with NATIVE Copper

Unknown Owner

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This spectacular large plate of orange-red included Calcite crystals is claimed on the previous collectors label to contain Native Copper. I have to say that I cannot prove this from visual checks, but my inclination would be towards iron oxides imparting the colour to this Calcite. Nevertheless, it is a visually attractive specimen from Príbram and in excellent condition. The layer of Calcite crystals reaches 2 cm thick on average and coats a fine-grained Sphalerite matrix. The Calcite crystals are narrow 'prisms' with three-sided sloping terminations and are densely packed alongside each other as near-parallel growths. This colour and habit of Calcite is unusual for Príbram and comes from the "Uranium mine" which has been interpreted as Uranium mine No. 21. Ex Hans Engelbrecht Collection, no. 1633, acquired by him in 1977 from Frautisek Frk.