14.2" Plate Of Golden, Twinned Calcite Crystals - Morocco

This is a gorgeous, honey colored beam calcite crystal cluster that's part of a new find from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The large crystals along the uppermost portion of this plate are twinned and have a golden-yellow coloration. They sit atop a bed of sharp calcite crystals that contain phantoms. They also contain sparkling inclusions that gathered at the tops of the crystals near the conclusion of their formation.

The largest twinned crystal is 5.2" long. The entire specimen measures 14.2" by 6.5" and has a flat base that allows for aesthetic presentation of the plate without the need for a display stand. This is a truly wonderful specimen that is sure to turn heads and make for a great conversational piece.

Calcite, CaCO3, is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. The other polymorphs are the minerals aragonite and vaterite. Calcite crystals are trigonal-rhombohedral, though actual calcite rhombohedra are rare as natural crystals. However, they show a remarkable variety of habits including acute to obtuse rhombohedra, tabular forms, and prisms. Calcite exhibits several twinning types adding to the variety of observed forms. It may occur as fibrous, granular, lamellar, or compact. Cleavage is usually in three directions parallel to the rhombohedron form.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Calcite
LOCATION
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
SIZE
14.2 x 11.9", Largest crystal is 5.2" long
CATEGORY
ITEM
#115207