4" Calcite Crystals on Dolomite and Sparkling Pyrite - New York

This is a beautiful, 4" wide specimen featuring calcite crystals that formed from a dolomite and druzy pyrite crystal encrusted matrix. It comes out of the Benchmark Quarry in Montgomery County, New York, one of several sites known to produce "Herkimer diamonds".

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, Dolomite & Pyrite
LOCATION
Benchmark Quarry, St Johnsville, Montgomery County, New York
SIZE
Specimen: 4 x 1.9"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#251201