6.1" Manganoan Calcite Crystal Cluster - Highly Fluorescent!

This is a cluster of pink manganoan (manganese-bearing) calcite crystals from the Pachapaqui mining district in Áncash, Peru. Small, black sphalerite crystals can be found scattered across the calcite, and the underside of this specimen contains pyrite crystals. Under short and long wave UV, the calcite crystals fluoresce a vibrant pink-orange color.

It comes with an acrylic display stand.

About Manganoan Calcite

Manganoan Calcite, also known as Mangano Calcite or Pink Calcite, is a variety of calcite rich in manganese, giving it a distinctive pink color that ranges from soft pastel to vibrant rose hues. The presence of manganese not only colors the mineral but often creates fluorescent qualities under UV light, where Manganoan Calcite emits a lovely pink or red glow. This mineral is usually found in massive, granular forms or in well-defined rhombohedral crystal structures, with a silky or vitreous luster.

Primarily sourced from locations like Peru, Bulgaria, and China, Manganoan Calcite is valued both for its beauty and metaphysical properties.

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 var. Manganoan Calcite, Sphalerite & Pyrite
LOCATION
Pachapaqui mining district, Bolognesi Province, Áncash, Peru
SIZE
6.1 x 3.4"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#187295