Calcite Twin on Sphalerite

Unknown Owner

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A fine twinned Elmwood calcite that has been in my own calcite collection since the mid 1990's, this is one I always loved for size and balance. The crystal is 7.5 x 5 x 2.1 cm in size and is just perched there atop the knoll of sphalerite like a frisbee balanced on a rock. It is freestanding and complete all around, which I loved for display, on this natural pedestal. The sphalerite has a slight hint of red and is well crystallized on the front, contacted in back (and with one slight bruise I should mention - but its not visually detracting. you have to look to see it). In person, it is quite gemmier than it appears, and has that nice rich amber-beer color that makes the contrast with the sphalerite all the more strong. You can see through to the sphalerite underneath, in fact. Despite the freestanding nature of the exposed crystal, the piece was collected very carefully and has only very trivial edge wear, minor on the tips and really not significant by any normal standard. I have owned it for something like 15 years now. Joe Budd photos