• The piece in full sun, a flat rectangular piece of matrix with a fine sandy druzy glittering in the sun, lumpy growths, and large calcite crystals. The whole piece has the same red-tinted brown color.
  • Detail angled view showing the surface has a grain surface like sandstone, and ripple-like patterns are visible on the surface. There are lumpy round growths on the surface with a glittery druzy surface. Some are broken open and hollow, looking like small craters.
  • Angled view of the piece showing the large calcite crystals on the surface. They have blocky, angular modified rhombohedral shapes, with some good surface growth patterns. The calcites are included with the same red coloration as the piece, but slightly more colorless near the tip.
  • The front of the piece, angled to produce shadows emphasizing that the surface of the piece is covered with ripple patterns in the sandstone-like matrix.
  • Side view of the piece, showing it is flat and thin with a layered-looking red-brown sandy textured matrix, and a dark layer on the very bottom.
  • Side view of the piece and the layers in the matrix. The calcite crystals stand off the surface.
  • The back of the piece, showing rough matrix with super rusty colors of iron-oxides, deep red-brown and orange-tinted.
  • The front of the piece in indirect light, showing the luster of the crystals and the excellent bumpy and cratered surface.
  • Detail view of calcite crystals, showing they are heavily included with the sandy red-brown material, which fades to near-colorless at the edges.
  • Angled view of the surface showing several of the crater-like formations, and the chunky shapes of the calcite crystals.
  • Detail view of several of the angular blocky calcite crystals, with reflections off their faces showing details of growth patterns
  • Detail view of the piece in the sun, showing the surface has a fine sandy glitter to it.
  • Scale image of the piece on a measuring mat, measuring about four by two and a half inches
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Matte brown calcite "moonscape" with 'craters' and large crystals

Matte brown calcite "moonscape" with 'craters' and large crystals

$20.00 USD
$20.00 USD
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Locale: Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico

Approx dimensions: 4 x 2.25 x 1"

Approx weight: 130g

 

This material from Santa Eulalia has rhombohedral calcite crystals on a red-brown iron-oxide matrix. The 'craters' pockmarking the surface create an unusual moonscape appearance—or maybe more Mars-scape with the flat red color of the piece.

The crater shapes appear to be the remnants of a crust that had formed over crystals that have since dissolved away. Ripples and flow patterns indicate water was involved in the deposition of the brown sandy-textured crust, which appears matte but glitters under direct light.

The brown crust doesn't cover the larger calcite crystals, but they have the same color as the rest of the piece due to hematite (iron oxide) inclusions dusting their interiors.

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

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