Calcite

I found this piece on Ebay in 2009, when Chinese localities were still being obfuscated. It was declared as Chen Shou Mine, but that is a prefecture level city. My guess is it from the Leiping Mine, as workings were quite active at that time. This specimen plays on subtle color changes, from salmon to tan to near colorless. There was multi-generational growth as exhibited by the “mushroom” on the right side. The first generation created subtle phantoms as they were enveloped. No damage to any of the crystals. Very choice.

Locality: Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China

Composition: calcium carbonate