Calcite, Gypsum

A fine small cabinet-sized cluster of sharply terminated scaleohedral “dogtooth” calcite crystals from the classic Buena Tierra Mine. The calcite crystals show excellent form and definition, with pointed terminations. Delicate gypsum coatings partially cover many of the calcite crystals and line crevasses within the cluster. The piece comes from the international collection of Peter Tarassoff.

The Buena Tierra Mine is part of the renowned Santa Eulalia Mining District, one of Mexico’s most important and productive silver–lead–zinc regions. The district is famous for producing superb calcite specimens in a wide variety of habits and associations, often accompanied by secondary minerals such as gypsum. Well-preserved cabinet-sized clusters with sharp crystal form and attractive secondary overgrowths are not easy to obtain, making examples such as this highly desirable representatives of classic Santa Eulalia mineralization.