Vanadinite with Calcite

specimen number:
2063867

location:
Apex Mine, San Carlos, Chihuahua, Mexico

description:
An aesthetically shaped matrix, the top completely covered by glistening colorless rhombohedral crystals of calcite averaging 0.3 cm in size. Lustrous brown prismatic crystals of vanadinite to 0.5 cm in size are sparsely scattered across the top of this. In good condition with very minimal micro-damage present. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark. He acquired the piece while in Mexico in 1973.

Located near San Carlos in Chihuahua, Mexico, the Apex Mine is known for its oxidized base metal deposits hosted within carbonate replacement settings and skarn environments. Historically operated for lead, silver, and zinc through the mid twentieth century, the site later gained international renown among mineral collectors for yielding world class secondary minerals. In particular, the mine has produced exceptional specimens of bright red orange vanadinite crystals, often associated with contrasting matrix minerals like calcite, making it a celebrated locality for fine crystal specimens.

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