Cobaltoan Calcite

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

This super small cabinet display specimen shows the classic cyclamen-pink colour for which Cobaltoan Calcite is renowned. There are two main world sources of this extremely rare variety of Calcite: Bou Azzer, Morocco; and Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Well-crystallized showy display specimens from either are very rare and consequently command high prices. This specimen comes from the former, and presents quite unusual 'nail-head' type crystals with three-sided pyramidal sloping terminations, which are nicely transparent and with a rich pink colour. This colour is replaced in two or three small areas with a more orange-brown colour, possibly reflecting a shift in trace chemistry from cobalt to iron. With very little damage to note this colourful Calcite will make a fine display piece.