29 cm Museum Size Calcite from Malmberget

$ 849.99

ID20443

Location:

Malmberget, Gällivare, Norrbotten, Sweden

https://www.mindat.org/loc-10629.html

Size: 112x235x290 mm (8360 gr.)

Description

Here is a fantastic museum specimen with white/translucent dog tooth calcite.

It is undamaged except for some minor damages along the edges, but even the edges look good on this one, and it is very rare to find such big specimens that are so complete. This one was in my father’s main collection, but due to space, I need to let it go.

In the pictures, I have laid it down, but for display, I would probably raise it up (it stands naturally by itself).

Also, the backside is very nice, especially the Hematite. You will see both Calcite and Stilbite on the backside (where there are some damages to the calcite).

Please watch the video for a better view:
https://youtu.be/bvAdvEp6b44

I am not sure when it was collected, but I strongly believe it is from the 1990s or 2000s when my father was most active in collecting Swedish minerals.

Location:

Malmberget has one of the largest underground mines for ore in the world and the second-largest in Sweden. The deepest point is 1390 meters below ground. Annual production is over 5 million tonnes of iron ore.

There is a big variety of crystals and minerals found in the mines:
https://www.mindat.org/loc-10629.html

Sometimes the miners hit pockets with crystals, but seldom they are collected as it would slow the work. Luckily there are workers who are trying to save/collect the most interesting stuff.

My father had friends in the mining companies in Sweden and traded minerals directly from them. Most of the stuff he got was back about 15-25 years ago. Much of this material is now long gone, and seldom seen on the market.