Mariposa "Butterfly" Calcite
Calcite from the Mariposa Mine 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 dogtooth calcite and hematite that create beautiful phantoms and inclusions. The true Mariposa (butterfly) Calcite had not been found for almost 40 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 # MC09146506
5.8 inch Scalenohedral Butterfly "Mariposa" Calcite
5.8" Scalenohedral Butterfly "Mariposa" 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 28 oz or 1.75 lbs (795 grams) and measures 5.8 x 3.9 x 2 inches (14.8 x 9.9 x 5.2 cm)
Item # MC09148827
4.5 inch XLS Scalenohedral Butterfly "Mariposa" Calcite
4.5" XLS Scalenohedral Butterfly "Mariposa" 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. The specimen miners had to go on a 3 day expedition into the mine to get these. It is difficult and dangerous work getting these specimens and it's rare and exciting to have them. Collectors enjoy "Mariposa" calcite because it is a great looking daylight or Ultraviolet specimen. This piece has large points.
This specimen weighs 22.7 oz or 1.42 lbs (643 grams) measures 4.5 x 3.3 x 2.6 inches (11.5 x 8.5 x 6.7 cm)
Item # MC05112179
XL 8 inch Mariposa "Butterfly" Calcite
This is a wonderful large cabinet specimen of Mariposa calcite. Mariposa calcite is characterized by alternating overgrowths of calcite and hematite that create beautiful phantoms and inclusions. The largest crystal on this specimen measures 42mm. We were lucky to get this specimen from the few finds in a 2004 small pocket. The Mariposa (butterfly) calcite had not been found for almost 30 years before that find. Under Ultraviolet SW light the areas of white calcite glow bright red. The calcite that glows like fire on this specimen is found on the bottom and end of the specimen. Several of the crystal points on this piece fluoresce. Collectors enjoy Mariposa calcite because it is a great looking daylight or Ultraviolet specimen. This specimen is from the Santa Eulalia District, Aquiles Serdan, Chihuahua, Mexico. The specimen miners had to go on a 3 day expedition into the mine to get these. It is difficult and dangerous work getting these specimens and it's rare and exciting to have them.
This specimen weighs 4 lbs (1821g) and measures 8 x 6.1 x 2.3” (20.4 x 15.6 x 5.9cm