Calcite on Calcite with Apophyllite (fluorescent)

Item Description

The Bor Pit, and Dalnegorsk in general, have produced a dizzying array of interesting and attractive Calcite forms that amazed collectors in the 1990s and early 2000s and then...stopped (mostly). The heyday was certainly done by the late 1990s, we just did not realize it at the time. The look of these, the glassiness and forms, were not found later in such quality. This cluster of highly unusual Calcites, to 5 cm, exemplifies just how intriguing and varied Dalnegorsk Calcites can be: These stout, gemmy, colorless scalenohedrons have beveled terminations, and long scalenohedral faces with clear, fascinating windows, alla top an earlier generation of blocky rhombohedral crystals that gives the matrix a geometry you normally do not expect to see. Each scaleno is perched on an underlaying rhomb. AND as a bonus, some tips are sparkling with preferential coatings of second-generation crystals atop the glassy calcites - these turn out to be microcrystals of apophyllite, when analysed. Amazing! Of course, there is excellent fluorescence, a hot orange-red characteristic of this locality and due to traces of manganese within. This is a great, interesting, rather unique Calcite with wonderful characteristics to stand out. Valued $2000-plus.