Calcite (Cuprian)

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Found in the 1980s, this nearly doubly-terminated cluster of parallel-growth scalenohedrons is most uncommon for the Coahuila region of Mexico. The largest crystal is doubly terminated, and the luster varies from silky to a remarkably glassy, dune-like appearance on many of the faces. These faces, in and of themselves, are quite attractive and intriguing. The terminations tend towards the gemmy side, and the overall color is tinted green, much more so than the photos capture. This copper tinting is rare for here, and really for most Calcites in general. The base, save for the largest crystal, is one large clean cleave. Out of the Calcite collection of Dr. Robert Lavinsky, this atypical specimen would be a great find no matter what the location was. From Rob: I got this at a show in the Midwest when I was in high school, probably around 1988-90; and had never seen another so large. It came out of an old Mexican collection. Never got a better locality on it but we believed it was the same location that produced so much massive cleavage blocks, and almost no specimens. I collected calcite from the early 1980s through 2003 or so; and treasured this for the size and color. Never found another as good.