Calcite With Hematite

Unknown Owner

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A rare exchange out of the Peabody Museum at Yale (with a rather early number from the 1800s), this is a very aesthetic cluster of sharp, elongated, gem calcites which have a subtle coloring of red caused by hematite dusting. The overall effect is highly unusual! This is an old classic, found sometime in the mid to late 1800s. The aesthetics of the piece, though, are just very different than those of other such specimens because of the coloration. It is dramatic and freestanding, and nearly pristine all around. Few Yale specimens ever were traded out. This one was exchanged, I suspect, because it was of large size and had much damage around the edges. However, after I bought it from collector George Elling, who got it in a collection himself, I trimmed it to consolidate and clean up the periphery. Note the original label is included - few such were ever given out with deaccessions at Yale. Joe Budd photos