4.1" Highly Fluorescent Calcite Crystal Cluster - Wenshan Mine, China

This is an alluring aggregation of colorless calcite crystals on a calcite encrusted matrix. It is part of a new find at the Wenshan zinc mines in the Yunnan Province of China. The base of the specimen has been cut flat for aesthetic presentation.

Under short-wave ultraviolet light, the calcite crystals exhibit a stunning white fluorescence.

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.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Calcite
LOCATION
Wenshan Zinc Mine, Wenshan City, Yunnan, China
SIZE
Entire Specimen: 4.1 x 3.7"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#223559