Calcite

Unknown Owner

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In the mid 1990s, a virtual flood of these sharp, twinned calcites came out of this former Russian Republic and to market, many at very affordable prices. This one, however, stands above all of those and is one of the few best I know of. It is bigger, gemmier, cleaner, and just plain brighter and sparklier than the normal quality you might expect. The photos are accurate, not an exaggeration at all, and it really is this gemmy and sharp in person. I obtained this specimen in exchange from the noted Eric Asselborn collection (Dijon, France) in the early 2000's and kept it since then in my own calcite collection, which I started in 1985 and added to until only very recently. I know there is a swarm of cheaper, "nice" calcite twins out there from this locale. But again, this is so far beyond them, its not even the same planet in my eyes. I was proud to own this for the last 7 or 8 years and I still consider it one of the few best of this style that I know of, amongst the major collections (including several specializing in Russian material). Joe Budd photos