Calcite on Quartz

A splendid small cabinet specimen of Calcite crystals preferentially coating an underlying matrix of crystallised orange Quartz. This is yet another wonderful example of Calcite from the Coronation Lode in Geevor mine at Pendeen, St. Just, Cornwall. Coronation Lode extended out beneath the sea within the bounds of the old Levant mine section of Geevor. Stubby Hematite-included Quartz crystals to 2 cm tall form a matrix composed only of Quartz terminations rising above the cleaved flat base. The inclusions are microscopically small and only manifest as a somewhat smoky apricot orange in the Quartz. It is fascinating just why Quartz and Calcite at Geevor have a tendency towards orange, a colour rarely encountered in the mineral kingdom. Preferentially coating the Quartz are apricot tinted cream clusters of lenticular Calcite crystals and occasional sinusoidal wave-like clusters of a slightly deeper apricot. This specimen is from the Mike Brooke Collection, part of a magnificent Geevor suite built by Mike through close cooperation with the mining team and is accompanied with his label.