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Calcite with Pyrite 7.5″ X 4.5″

$110.00

Soothing calcite crystallizes in the hexagonal system with a wide range of crystal habits and colors.  Sunny pyrite’s name comes from the Greek word meaning, “a stone which strikes fire”. It is often  known as fool’s gold.

 

Locality:  Mongolia

SKU: calcp1. Tags: .

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CALCITE

 

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Although known since antiquity, calcite’s many confusing crystal habits precluded recognition as a species until 1845.  Its name stems from the Greek chalx, meaning “lime.” Calcite is found worldwide; notable collecting localities are in England, Iceland, Germany, India, and the United States (Tennessee, Missouri, Michigan, New Jersey).

 

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Calcite [calcium carbonate, CaCO3], pronounced CHAL-site, is the most abundant carbonate mineral.  It crystallizes in the hexagonal system (trigonal subsystem); crystals are usually rhombohedral, scalenohedral, or prismatic with a unusually wide variety of habits.  It has a Mohs hardness of 3.0, perfect cleavage in three directions to form rhombohedrons, vitreous-to-dull luster, and a specific gravity of 2.7-3.0.  It is usually white or colorless, but impurities create a wide range of pale colors.  Calcite develops in many mineralogical environments, including pegmatites, carbonatites, chemical and sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, and hydrothermal veins.

 

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: According to metaphysical practitioners, calcite enhances learning abilities, reduces fear and stress, removes negative energies, and promotes creativity and imagination.  Calcite is the primary mineral component of limestone, which is mined in huge quantities for use as dimensional stone, in cement, and as a metallurgical flux; and marble, which serves as a dimensional stone and sculpting medium.  Banded, massive forms of calcite, known as “marble onyx,” are fashioned into ornamental objects.

 

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Calcite specimens are widely sought by collectors for their remarkable variety of crystal habits and colors, unusual size, affordability, excellent crystal development, and, in composite specimens, interesting associations with many other minerals.

 

PYRITE

 

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Pyrite has been known since antiquity.  Its name stems from the Greek pyr, or “fire,” alluding to its ability to spark when struck with metal.  Collecting localities are found in Peru, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Bolivia, China, and the United States (Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Idaho).

 

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Pyrite [iron disulfide, FeS2], pronounced PIE-rite, is the most abundant sulfide mineral.  It crystallizes in the cubic system as individual or clustered cubes, pyritohedra, or octahedra, and also occurs in massive, concretionary, and nodular forms.  It has a Mohs hardness of 6.0-6.5, no cleavage, and a specific gravity of 4.9-5.2.  Crystals are striated, opaque, and have a pale, brass-yellow color that tarnishes to brown.  Pyrite occurs in all mineralogical environments; the best crystals develop in hydrothermal veins in association with quartz, sphalerite, and galena.

 

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: Metaphysical practitioners believe that pyrite supplements physical energy with the energy of the sun, increases stamina, stimulates the intellect, and protects against negativity and risk.  It is a former ore of both iron and sulfur.  It now has only limited use as a coloring agent in the manufacture of amber glass.  Once a popular Victorian-era gemstone, pyrite still has minor uses in jewelry.

 

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION.  Pyrite is widely collected for its affordability, variety of crystal habits, bright metallic luster, crystal size, perfection of cubic crystal form, and frequent occurrence in beautiful composite specimens with such minerals as quartz, galena, and sphalerite.

SKU: calcp1 Tag: .

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