Calcite

A magnificent six-sided scalenohedral Calcite crystal from Millclose mine, South Darley in Derbyshire, a once highly productive lead and zinc mine close to the town of Matlock.  This single, off-matrix specimen grades from opaque milky-white Calcite at its base to an almost colourless and transparent sharp termination.  Six mirror-smooth, alternately broad and narrow faces have a glassy bright lustre and the specimen stands well, leaning at a tilted angle.  Internal fractures provide a most attractive criss-cross pattern giving a play of iridescent colours.  Internal Calcite phantoms are also picked out by subtle planes of finely disseminated black sulphides.  The base is overgrown with recrystallised Calcite forming small blocky crystals.  A superb Calcite crystal from one of Derbyshire’s larger and most well-known mines.  It is accompanied with a typed label which notes this specimen was collected on 14th July 1937.