Calcite on Sphalerite

Item Description

Calcite from the Elmwood Mine in Tennessee is one of those old classic USA treasures that were once common, and now still exist in plenty - at a lower level of play. This, however, is a true oldtimer as you can tell by the style of the matrix and was good even by the standards of what came out in the day! Things like this are simply not on the market in such quality. This magnificent display specimen features a 15-cm-long doubly terminated calcite with intense amber-yellow color and sharp form, perched dramatically upon a pedestal of matrix. The calcite is pristine on the tips, which is the major problem facing many large Elmwood calcites on matrix, with none of the repair and restoration that some are given these days. The crystal, for the size, is shockingly pristine. There is only a faint, small bit of scratching about the middle of the crystal that looks to be natural, from the pocket, but in any case could be fixed with a small drop of acid there. The matrix is a shard of dolostone with sparkly secondary crystals on the rock, so it is very pretty as a matrix. Rich crystallization of old-style "ruby jack" sphalerites to 2 cm adorn the matrix and are all pristine except only some crystals at the bottom as shown on the base. Overall, it is one of the better examples in this size that we have seen in recent years (although this is hard to convey from a photo). Comparable items of such size at shows, particularly if from certain famous collections which have trickled out recently, are routinely priced in the 25-35k range or more, with Elmwood calcites now selling for sums in the multiple six figures. In fact, as an oldtimer from the Midwest myself, I am often shocked at Elmwood calcite prices at first. But then again, that was a time and a place and in this new world, they simply are NOT available in top quality anymore, and only turn up as these old collections get recycled. There is a lot of material on the market, but not a lot at the top of the game. The thing that people forget is this: that even when they came out, the best were expensive, and 1 in 1000. And, this was 30 years and more ago, for material of this particular style of color/matrix combination. So, in perspective, why should a truly great Elmwood calcite not be as valuable as a mediocre Brazil tourmaline or a common Chinese fluorite? These are truly USA classics, and ranked among the best calcites in the world, period, compared to any location, in competitive collecting. Note this comes with a custom lucite base.