CALAVERITE
Specimen caa-1
$ 80.00Dims: 1.7 x 1.2 x 0.3" (4.3 x 3.0 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 10.5 g
Coin Mine, Cripple Creek, Colorado, U.S.A.
This thumbnail specimen consists of a host rock in which are embedded scores of tiny Calaverite crystals. Many of these crystals are incomplete due to damage during mining, but there are several clean, intact faces visible on the broader surfaces of the host rock, and one complete crystal is plainly visible when its thinnest edge is studied closely. The Calaverite crystals do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm), and the one complete crystal shows excellent monoclinic tabular form, with sharp edges and clean faces. All have a bright, silvery-white color and a bright metallic luster. The host rock is made up of simple, massive quartz that could use a small amount of cleaning with water and maybe a little bit of vinegar or another weak acid.