Calcite with Malachite and Dioptase inclusions

Item Description

This is a surreal specimen of display-sized calcite with unusual green color, that you normally do NOT expect to see in calcite! These green tinted Calcite rhombohedrons contain numerous, very fine Dioptase crystals included within, but also seem immersed in a mist of more diffuse green inclusions, presumably malachite (although it could perhaps be duftite or conichalcite as well and has not been analysed)! The Calcite crystal faces and edges are very sharp - and crystals measure up to 2 cm on edge. The growth history on quick inspection is seemingly simple; however, select edges of the Calcite crystals and the bottom of the piece reveal a more complex history. An early, unimpressive stage of gray-white Calcite was overgrown by a later stage of off-white Calcite, that was interrupted by the deposition of a very thin (0.2mm) layer of microscopic, emerald green Dioptase crystals, and then that was later overgrown by continued crystallization of Calcite! A lovely piece with an interesting story! Valued $5000-plus as this is a rather large, showy example of this rare inclusion, and quite beautiful. Presumably this is from the 1970s-1980s.