Red layered calcite from Mexico
Size-
10.3cm x 5cm x 5.5cm
Weight-
360g
You will receive the item in the photo
Crystal system- Trigonal
Crystal habits- while its underlying atomic structure is rhombohedral,calcite is famous for exhibiting more them 800 different external shapes(habits). The layered varieties often manifest as massive,microcrystalline or coarse-grained aggregates where individual crystal faces are compressed together.
Mineral class- Carbonate
Rock formation:
Sedimentary deposition- Most layered red calcites are types of travertine or onyx marble (not a true metamorphic marble). They form in hot springs,limestone caves or groundwater systemsAs mineral rich water flowed and evaporates,it leaves behind sequential layers of calcium carbonate. Variations in water chemistry and iron oxide concentration during deposition create alternating red,orange and cream bands.
Hyde veins- it can aldo firm when low temperature hydrothermal fluids pass through fractures and cavities in existing rock,systematically coating the walls layer by layer.
The red banding is a structural purity variation l. Tiny particles of hematite or other iron rich houses are trapped between individual growth layers during crystallization staining those specific banded red.
Hardness-3 on the MOHs scale
