19th Century Italian Vase with a Calcite Crystal Point in Sphalerite

17th century Italian vase with a calcite crystal cluster in matrix with sphalerite. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the historic flooding of the Arno River in 1966. The calcite crystal cluster with sphalerite is from Elmwood Mine in Tennessee. It is an example of the world’s finest crystallized calcite. With the unusual formation of sphalerite, it is unequaled by those from any other part of the world (featured in American Mineral Treasures, pg. 337). These minerals are formed from the chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate and zinc. The minerals are essentially deposited on the walls, floors, and ceiling of the geological caverns of the zinc mine. It is known for producing some of the most superb various examples of calcite, fluorite, and sphalerite with exceptionally large and sharp calcite clusters. The piece has been naturally distressed from the flood. It has been preserved and transformed by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she created the piece and the period shows that the Italian fragment is originally 17th century. The story and history of this piece and Interi's collection of Florence fragments...

Sculptural 18th century Italian wood chalice decorated with calcite crystals in sphalerite on a Lucite base. The hand carved and painted chalice is from a...

17th century Italian vase with a calcite crystal cluster in matrix on a petrified wood base. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the historic flo...

17th century Italian (Tuscan) figure of Christ decorated with calcite crystals on a barite and calcite crystal specimen with chalcopyrite. The hand carved figure of Christ is from a ...

17th century Italian gold leaf fragment with calcite crystals in a rock matrix with gold leaf crystal quartz and mounted on a rock coral base. This fragment was originally part of a...

Sculptural 18th century Italian candlestick mounted with chalcopyrite and calcite crystals in matrix. The gilded fragment was originally part of a candlestick in a historical Italia...

From Elmwood Mine, Tennessee, United States. Large, museum-quality, lustrous transparent deep golden calcite with sphalerite crystal at the base of the crystal. Double terminated ...

From Elmwood Mine, Tennessee, United States. Large, museum-quality, lustrous transparent deep golden calcite with sphalerite crystal at the base of the crystal. Double terminated sc...

Large, museum-quality, lustrous transparent deep golden calcite with sphalerite crystal at the base of the crystal. Double terminated scalenohedral twinned on the C-axis with well de...

From Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Tennessee Large aesthetic cluster of highly lustrous black sphalerite crystals on a quartz coated matrix with micro golden calcite...

From Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Tennessee Single double terminated twinned crystal of rich golden calcite on matrix lined with metallic luster sphalerite ...

From Elmwood Mine, Tennessee, United States. Large, museum-quality, lustrous transparent deep golden calcite with large cubic purple fluorite crystals...