Detailed information
Species
Cobaltoan Calcite, Kolwezite
Dimensions
22 x 42 x 17
mm
Weight
6 g
Locality
Mashamba West Mine Kolwezi mining district Lualaba, DR Congo
Condition
No recorded repairs
This very pretty Calcite miniature features a jewel-like crystal perched, with two smaller Calcite crystals, upon a flake of finely crystallized Calcite. What makes this piece extra special, is that these crystals are gemmy and transparent, but with an alluring pale pink-lemonade hue. This is because they contain very small amounts of cobalt, making them Cobaltoan Calcite. To add to their beauty, these crystals also contain intriguing grey-white cloudy stalactites and spherules, giving it an quirky character. The largest Calcite crystal reaches 1.3 cm tall and is in stunning condition, both in terms of shape and quality. A small dark olive-green velvety spray of the rare species Kolwezite adds a lovely accompaniment too, alongside one of the other Calcite crystals. This association with Kolwezite is, as the name suggests, a classic from the Kolwezi mining district and not seen with the older Cobaltoan Calcite from Morocco. This little treasure is from the famous Mashamba West mine at Kolwezi. The thin bed of Calcite upon which these crystals sit is a contrasting pale orange colour and coated with tiny crystals. This is one of the finest Cobaltoan Calcite miniatures that you are likely to see, a real delight to behold.