Beta-Roselite on Quartz with Cobaltoan Calcite - image 1

Beta-Roselite on Quartz with Cobaltoan Calcite - image 2

Beta-Roselite on Quartz with Cobaltoan Calcite

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Note added: subject to information given us, this material turns out to be the related mineral species Beta-Roselite, which is the dimorph of Roselite (same chemistry, different crystal structure): see https://www.mindat.org/min-3451.htmlHere we have a very unusual and sparkling combination of Bou Azzer minerals that get their color from their cobalt content. Cobaltoan Calcite is obvious enough, and Roselite is a calcium-cobalt arsenate (very closely related to Wendwilsonite). On this piece, Roselite occurs as isolated, very lustrous, 3 to 4 mm, red-pink rosettes scattered on a fine, scintillating druse of Quartz that completely covers a pleasingly, pastel pink botryoidal surface of Cobaltoan Calcite whose mounded surface covers a dusky gray limestone matrix. The result of these three species having distinct attributes is a very elegant specimen from Morocco! This piece is accompanied by a custom engraved acrylic base. We have seen a thousand similar specimens and combinations for years, but this one is just special amongst them for the contrasts of texture and color, three-dimensionality, and overall look. It is simply a really pretty specimen of any kind.