4.2" Hematite Calcite Crystal Cluster - China

Hematite Calcite Crystal Cluster - China #50153

This is a plate of red-orange to black zoned scalenohedral calcite crystals. The rich, red coloration is caused by inclusions of hematite within the calcite. It was collected from the Daye iron mine in China. The entire plate is 4.2x3.2" with the largest crystal measuring 1.5" long. When viewing the specimen from its side, the various layers of calcite formation can be seen. It comes with an acrylic display stand.

Calcite, CaCO3, is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. The other polymorphs are the minerals aragonite and vaterite. Calcite crystals are trigonal-rhombohedral, though actual calcite rhombohedra are rare as natural crystals. However, they show a remarkable variety of habits including acute to obtuse rhombohedra, tabular forms, and prisms. Calcite exhibits several twinning types adding to the variety of observed forms. It may occur as fibrous, granular, lamellar, or compact. Cleavage is usually in three directions parallel to the rhombohedron form.

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