Mn-bearing Calcite with Manganite, on Kutnohorite

Item Description

A gorgeous, pastel-pink specimen of manganoan Calcite from the famous Wessels Mine. Very showy, to say the least, it has one of the more unusual habits I have seen for a Calcite. Mimicking, but clearly not coating all the time, the underlying Kutnohorite, the Calcite is growing in thick sprays that widen as they grow vertically, much like a bouquet of flowers. All of these are conjoined, together composing the bulk of the specimen. Cool, to be sure, but what is so visually stunning are the the terminations of some of these Calcite clusters. Rising up above the specimen are a half-dozen or so terminations that expand outward, not unlike the famous mushroom Tourmalines from Burma. These range up to 2.4 cm wide and 2 cm tall. To top that off, these are coated with microcrystals of Manganite, creating a gorgeous 'dusting' effect. Throw in the classic and stunning pinkish-orange fluorescence as a bonus, and you have a magnificent Calcite specimen! Note that some of these are more calcite, some more kutnohorite (which does not fluoresce) but this seems to be majority calcite. From our special collection sale, direct to auction, of choice material from the collection of Richard Rossi, East Coast collector and Mineralogical Record Fellow.