Benz Calcite

Benz CalciteA relatively new and exciting addition to the mineral world, the so called Benz calcite comes from specific formations in Hubei, China, where some truly impressive specimens like this very rarely emerge from the mines. These incredible collectors pieces each one of a kind feature massive semitransparent calcite crystals, many of which feature coatings of fine, incredibly brilliant pyrite and chalcopyrite. The Benz part of the name comes from the tip

It is found in a wide range of shades from deep purple to pale violet and even pink

It rarely occurs in crystal form but is often found in botryoidal or fibrous formations

with particularly high shine or uniquely shaped pieces prized by collectors

where early very productive copper mines supplied much of the ancient world with the material

These high quality and exceptional color Chiapan Amber originated in Mexico during the Oligocene

Malachite is known for its deep green coloration

roughly 20 million years ago

From the Upper Ordovician Period - Ashgill Stage - Ktaoua Formation

This preglabellar ring (head shield) is covered in many sensory pits which may have held hairlike features when the trilobite was alive

and under optimal conditions these insects will be clearly visible within the fossilized amber pieces

silky and lustrous texture of these fibrous Malachite specimens combined with the incredibly rich color make them deservedly popular among collectors

The famed “fool’s gold”