Cobaltoan Calcite

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Kolwezi mine in the Katanga Copper Crescent, Dem. Rep. of Congo is not only one of the world's leading sources of spectacular Malachite specimens but also the premier world locality for the vivid pink cobalt-rich variety of Calcite, aka Cobaltoan Calcite. Known for decades for both, fine crystallized Cobaltoan Calcite specimens are far rarer than Malachite, with good discoveries made probably once or twice a decade at most. Specimens often vary greatly in their intensity or vividness in colour, but also in terms of their crystal habit, with sharp scalenohedral crystals one of the rarest forms of all. This lovely smaller cabinet piece presents that rare crystal form with crystals protruding into a small vug in paler pink Cobaltoan Calcite. The crystals themselves are slightly darker pink in colour with glassy faces. One crystal pointing into the cavity is missing its termination but two similar sized crystals are complete, along with another which points upwards from the edge of the cavity/specimen.