Calcite

specimen number:
2062178

location:
Stoneco Quarry, Maybee, Michigan, USA

description:
Lustrous gemmy scalenohedral crystals of calcite coming off of a small amount of matrix. This is in good condition. Collected in July, 1999. Quite nice for this classic locality.

The Stoneco Quarry, located in Maybee, Monroe County, Michigan, is globally recognized as one of the finest localities for high-quality celestine specimens. Geologically, the quarry excavates the Silurian-aged Raisin River Dolomite, which is part of the Bass Islands Group. The celestine occurred as a secondary mineral, forming sharp, tabular crystals within cavities and vugs created by the dissolution of evaporite minerals in the dolostone. These crystals are famous for their exceptional transparency, high luster, and a range of colors from colorless and white to a distinct, saturated sky-blue. Historically, the site began operations in the early 1900s as the Scofield Quarry and has been operated by Stoneco of Michigan for several decades as a major source of crushed stone and aggregate. Mineral collecting reached its peak in the late 20th century, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s, when large pockets of world-class blue celestine were encountered. Today, while the quarry remains an active industrial site with restricted access, the celestine from Maybee is considered a classic American mineral staple, highly valued for its geometric perfection and aesthetic appeal.

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