| Mariposa "Butterfly" Calcite |
| SpiritRock Shop |
| 3.9" Mariposa "Butterfly" Calcite Excellent display cabinet specimen of well defined and sharp Scalenohedral (dogtooth) clear calcite crystals with phantom hematite inner red and maroon crystals mined at the 20th level of the Potosí Mine, located in the Santa Eulalia District, Aquiles Serdan, Chihuahua, Mexico. This specimen weighs 377g (0.83 lbs) and measures 3.9 x 3.1 x 1.7 inches ( 101 x 79 x 45mm) |
Click on any photo to see a larger version
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Mariposa Mine calcite gained fame for having a phosphorescence more brilliant than it's fluorescence...under
SW Ultra Violet light the bright red fluorescence is almost immediately lost by the occurrence of a brilliant
bluish-white phosphorescence...the true Mariposa Calcite is actually from the Mariposa Mine (California Mountain
Mine), Terlingua District, Brewster Co., Texas, USA
Today what is now called Mariposa Calcite is characterized by alternating overgrowths of calcite and hematite
that create beautiful phantoms and inclusions. The Mariposa (butterfly) Calcite had not been found for almost 30
years. Under UV SW the areas of white calcite glow bright red. The calcite that glows like fire on these specimens is
found on the bottom and sides of the specimen. The area of crystal points has only a few spots that fluoresce.
What people love about Mariposa Calcite is that it is a great looking specimen even without the UV lamp.
The miners currently have to go on a two or three day trip into the mine to get these "Mariposa-like" specimens. It
is dangerous work and we feel it's just amazing to have any of them for our collection.
Our supply of "Mariposa Calcite" is mined at the 20th level of the Potosí Mine, located in the Santa Eulalia
District, Aquiles Serdan, Chihuahua, Mexico. These specimens have excellent Scalenohedral (dogtooth) calcite
crystals with phantom hematite inner red and maroon crystal formations in a clear to orange tinted calcite. These
Potosí Mine specimens are some of the nicest Mariposa Calcites available on the market today
| Item # MC0409002 5.3 inch Mariposa "Butterfly" Calcite $79.00 |
| 5.3" Mariposa "Butterfly" Calcite Excellent large display cabinet specimen of well defined and sharp Scalenohedral (dogtooth) clear calcite crystals with phantom hematite inner red and maroon crystals. Several of the hematite inner growths are protruding out of the calcite crystals giving this piece mined at the 20th level of the Potosí Mine, located in the Santa Eulalia District, Aquiles Serdan, Chihuahua, Mexico.an exceptional display appearance This specimen weighs 701g (1.55 lbs) and measures 5.3 x 3.6 x 2.2 inches ( 134 x 91 x 56mm) |
| Item # MC0409001 3.9 inch Mariposa "Butterfly" Calcite $49.00 |