Elmwood Calcite always ranks high in any list of the USA’s top mineral treasures. This sublime large cabinet specimen measures 16 x 14 x 9 cm and displays several large and gemmy, double terminated scalenohedral Calcite crystals all with that characteristic golden glow. The Elmwood mine is situated at Carthage in Smith County, Tennessee and although it feels as if the mine has existed for ever, the zinc deposit was only discovered in 1969; the year man set foot on the Moon. Before the mine was sunk, who would have thought all those wonderful Calcite crystals lay beneath, just waiting to be discovered! The largest crystal in this group is about 12 cm long and, I think, the colour of all the Calcites is best described as Champaign, a fitting name for such a magnificent group of crystals. The Calcites are almost entirely gemmy although their interiors do include reflective veils caused by imperfections in the crystal lattice. The Calcite sits on a matrix of Galena and Sphalerite. \n