Calcite included by Hematite (classic find)

$4,500.00

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2045 sold last year · median $290.00 · last sale $650.00

The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,410 for sale·797 sold

England has produced some of the finest Calcites known and in a wide variety of styles from many localities. Some few of those styles, however, are immediately recognizable, still unique today; and only came out of one mine among all. Historically, many of these have ranged from clear and colorless to those crystals tinged by Hematite, and their range of habits is also classic. This small-cabinet cluster has variations on the well-known Calcite scalenohedrons from this region of England in the 1800s. The early crystals lay horizontally, and these more-tabular scalenohedrons extend up to 5.5 cm with the largest being doubly-terminated. It is sparkling, pristine, and so elegant that it stands beyond most in the size class! Take a closer look and you can appreciate just how gemmy these crystals are. Later Calcites in this cluster are vertical and colorless, and together they create a nice aesthetic. This cluster, and its excellent condition, is all the more remarkable when you consider that this Hematite Mine was only in production from 1871-1901. One of the key pieces in the long-held English suite of the Liebetrau collection, built over 60 years, this has always been my favorite calcite among their collection. Formerly in the collection of Dr. Ed David.