Calcite

Amongst all the mineral species found in the mining district around Příbram in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, Calcite probably exhibits the biggest number of habits and variations. This striking small cabinet specimen would likely be described as a red Calcite, but it is actually more orange than red! Squat, nail head crystals averaging 5 to 8 mm wide with a brilliant glassy lustre cover a 2 cm deep bed of massive salmon pink-tinted Calcite. The outer surfaces of all the Calcite crystals are colourless and gemmy, forming trigonal terminations with Mercedes logo symmetry. Beneath this surface sit opaque, bright cloudy orange-red phantoms which lend their colour to the entire specimen. It is accompanied with a previous collector’s card label.