Cobaltoan Calcite

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Cobaltoan Calcite, a vivid pink cobalt-rich variety of Calcite, is only known to occur in dramatic specimens from a few places worldwide and most of those are on the African continent. Aghbar mine in the Bou Azer District in Morocco is one of the famous localities and this fine display specimen shows why. Small cabinet in size, its colour really makes it stand out. The matrix is mostly pure Calcite but as the crystals have grown, elevated levels of cobalt have resulted in the outer layers of Calcite crystallizing pink and with stepped crystal surfaces with a waxy lustre. In cross-section, along the edges of the specimen, the transition is seen to be sharp, almost to the extent of being an entirely different layer on the surface of the Calcite underneath. There is minor bruising to the surface of some of the crystals, but overall this is a very showy, eye-catching specimen of this attractive variety of Calcite - if you like pink that is! Ex Nick Hawes collection.