CH12-063
Calcite Var. Manganoan
Huanggang Mine, Hexigten Banner, Inner Mongolia A.R., China
Cabinet, 14.8 x 11.1 x 8.2 cm
SOLD
This is so different from any other calcite style we have seen - an intense pink cluster composed of intergrown "wheat sheaves" of elongated manganoan calcite crystals, with an intense pink coloration to them (stronger, richer pink color in fluorescent light as opposed to halogen light, under which these photos were shot). Unlike most others from this find, which form cauliflower-like masses, this piece shows more discrete crystallization. Complete all around, this is from a series of pockets which produced in mid-2011. Seems that since then, new pieces of this style are more uncommon on the market and I have not been able to buy more good ones while awaiting the cleaning on these older specimens. I believe these will be remembered as a contemporary classic, as well as for their beauty. The pink, manganoan-rich calcite is fluorescent orange-red under UV light. This specimen is complete all around, one of the most elegant of the style that we have had, and displays well on its custom lucite base.