Calcite Vein in Limestone Display Piece

A peculiar display piece of a white calcite rhomb vein within limestone from Derbyshire, UK. Calcite is one of the polymorphs of calcium carbonate, the others being aragonite and vaterite. Calcite is one of the index minerals in the Mohs scale at number 3, as it is a fairly soft mineral, able to be scratched by your finger nail. As expected of this group of minerals, it reacts with hydrochloric acid or vinegar to release bubbles of CO2, this causes a reactions which results in bubbling and fizzing on the surface of the specimen. This can prove a useful identification method in the field when calcite is in a more massive form, or as an enjoyable teaching aid under laboratory conditions. This particular specimen displays a vein of white rhombic calcite crystals within a limestone matrix, thin bands of fluorite can also be seen between the the calcite and limestone. The mountain like aesthetic of this piece makes it a perfect display piece for any collector. The sample measures roughly 13 x 8 x 12.5 cm and weighs roughly 1.386 kg, it will come supplied with an information label.