3.05" Scalenohedral Calcite Crystals - Moscona Mine, Spain

This is an incredibly packed specimen! It contains beautifully formed calcite crystals sourced from the Moscona Mine in Asturias, Spain. It has some pyrite inclusions, as well as a thin crust of tiny calcite crystals over the larger ones.

About Calcite Crystals

Calcite crystals are a form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) known for their diverse shapes, transparency, and vibrant range of colors. They typically form in rhombohedral, scalenohedral, or prismatic shapes, often with well-defined, sharp edges and glossy surfaces. Calcite crystals are often translucent or transparent, sometimes displaying a double refraction effect where objects viewed through the crystal appear doubled. They can appear in various colors—white, clear, yellow, pink, blue, green, and orange—depending on impurities or trace minerals.

A notable characteristic of calcite is its reaction with weak acids like vinegar, which causes it to effervesce, or fizz, as it releases carbon dioxide. This property makes calcite crystals a key tool in geological identification and studies. Calcite forms in many environments, from sedimentary rocks like limestone and marble to hydrothermal veins.
SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Calcite
LOCATION
Moscona Mine, Solís, Corvera de Asturias, Asturias, Spain
SIZE
3.05" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#261898