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Post by gaetama50 on Sept 24, 2010 0:54:57 GMT -5
I recently set out on a dig looking for citrine crystals at a local spot a friend told me about. Well, I didnt find any but what I ended up with is a bag full of calcite and chalcedony bearing volcanic material. Most is too small to mention but I did find a small vug that has a very clean 1 inch drusy crystal. I have never personally collected any black calcite before this and Im happy to add it to my collection. The question I pose to the board is should I leave it in matrix as shown below or should I attempt to take it out and clean it up to display its form? Neither of these pictures are very good.... I just couldnt wait to get em up. Thanks all, Mike
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Post by traveler on Sept 24, 2010 6:31:50 GMT -5
I would rather keep them in matrix. It makes the whole specimine look more natural.
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Post by scott on Sept 24, 2010 8:02:55 GMT -5
Yeah, definitely leave it there. Besides, that matrix gives it a nice back drop.
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Post by Dicky the Rockhunter on Sept 24, 2010 9:25:18 GMT -5
those are really nice and are a true keper . I was not aware of black calcite, and those apear to be redish. When you clean them are they black or is it just the name . I am cornfused?
Dicky
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Post by gaetama50 on Sept 24, 2010 20:34:44 GMT -5
Here is a couple of pictures of the crystals in natural sunlight which shows the minerals true colors. I had not heard of black calcite either till I began researching this specimen. Thanks to everyone who gave advice on the matter of remove or not to remove, I definately think I will leave it alone and put it on display as is. Even the smaller crystals on this peice are pretty cool.
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Post by CrossfireBusiness on Sept 28, 2010 20:39:59 GMT -5
thats an amazing crystal , and amazing specimen ... It"s up to you but if it was me I would be tempted to take it off and wrap it as a pendant but theres no way i would destroy that beautiful specimen by doing so ..
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Post by rockshine on Sept 29, 2010 18:03:13 GMT -5
My opinion: keep as is, return to dig site and collect a bushel, then dismantle one. Save all the rest and bring to club dig to swap to those/ we'se who don't have any.
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