Calcite Var. Manganoan

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For my taste, this cluster of three intergrown "wheatsheaves" is one of the few truly elegant of these intense pink calcites recovered in good condition, that we are aware of. Most were small, or big and damaged. Most of this style formed single clusters, or jumbly masses...but this piece has a pleasing radial arrangement that really impresses in person. It is also very 3-dimensional, complete, and pristine. This is so different from any other calcite style we have seen - an intense pink cluster composed of intergrown "wheat sheaves" of elongated manganoan calcite crystals, with an intense pink coloration to them (stronger, richer pink color in fluorescent light as opposed to halogen light, under which these photos were shot). This is from a series of pockets which produced such pieces in mid-2011. Seems that since then, new pieces of this style are more uncommon on the market and I have not been able to buy more. I believe these will be remembered as a contemporary classic, as well as for their beauty. The pink, manganoan-rich calcite is fluorescent orange-red under UV light. This specimen is complete all around. It displays dramatically on its custom lucite base. Note also that the pink color saturation seems to be volumetric - in other words, these bigger pieces are actually slightly more rich pink, in normal lighting.