• Full view of the front of a specimen, a flat rectangular piece of matrix with a red sandstone-like texture, and several large calcite crystals atop. The calcite is heavily included and the same color as the matrix.
  • Detail view of some of the calcite crystals, showing an unusual pattern of the faces being inverted: they have a smooth crystal edge raised above the face, with has a dull sandy texture like the matrix.
  • Angled view of the front of the piece, showing the modified rhombohedral structure of the calcite crystals. The surfaces reflect well, though the piece is largely matte with a sandy glitter.
  • Close up of the front of the piece, emphasizing the ripple-like patterns and layering in the sandy matrix.
  • Detail of one of the calcite crystals, showing the sandy texture of the surface is also inside the indented face of the crystal, and appears to be coloring the inside as an inclusion.
  • Side view of the piece, showing it is a thin flat matrix with large crystals atop.
  • The back of the piece, showing a rough dull dark brown surface.
  • Detail of the blocky angular brown calcite crystals, with some pointy calcite druzy coated in the sandy brown mineral.
  • Detail of a cluster of pointed calcite crystals on the corner of the piece. The are composed of small intersecting pyramidal crystals, and coated with the sandy brown mineral.
  • Detail of two of the larger calcite crystals with some clarity, and with red and colorless intersecting pyramidal druzy between them.
  • Detail of calcite crystals in the edge that are heavy with red inclusions on top but fade to colorless. The light flashes of interior feeatures.
  • Scale image of the piece on a measuring mat, measuring about four and a half by two and a quarter inches.
1 12

Calcite crystals on matte brown matrix

Calcite crystals on matte brown matrix

$26.00 USD
$26.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Locale: Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico

Approx dimensions: 4.5 x 2.25 x .75"

Approx weight: 107g

 

This specimen from Santa Eulalia has modified rhombohedral calcite crystals on a brown iron-oxide matrix. Ripples and flow patterns indicate water was involved in the deposition of the brown sandy-textured layered crust, which appears matte but glitters under direct light.

The large calcite crystals are heavily included with hematite (iron oxides) and have a similar sandy appearance to the surface. I am unsure whether crystal edges grew taller or the crystal faces etched away, but faces are inset with raised edges. The brown crust doesn't cover the larger calcite crystals, but only the inset areas.

On one side, the calcite grew bumps of druzy formed of pyramidal crystals, with triangular faces and a beveled edge. This is partially coated in the sandy deposition, and partially red with hematite inclusions.

** Staining warning! The soft matrix on the back will leave red-brown dusty staining on surfaces.

View full details