Calcite

A quite spectacular Calcite from the Vrančice area within the Příbram mining district in the Czech Republic, composed of different habits and colours of Calcite. Underpinning the structure is a bed of slender scalenohedral Calcite crystals, averaging 2 to 2.5 cm tall, probably colourless with black sulphide inclusions, judging from that shown in the base. However, these crystals are entirely coated in spiky, vertically aligned millimetre-scale, earthy, brick-red Calcite crystals giving a general dark burnt red appearance. Two further generations of Calcite have then deposited, firstly, flattened highly lustrous rhombohedral crystals, projecting horizontally from the scalenohedral towers and finally a preferential dusting of creamy-pink granular Calcite on aligned faces. A superb specimen.