Matte brown calcite "moonscape" with 'craters' and large crystals

Matte brown calcite "moonscape" with 'craters' and large crystalsLocale: Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico Approx dimensions: 4 x 2. 25 x 1" Approx weight: 130g This material from Santa Eulalia has rhombohedral calcite crystals on a red brown iron oxide matrix. The 'craters' pockmarking the surface create an unusual moonscape appearanceor maybe more Mars scape with the flat red color of the piece. The crater shapes appear to be the remnants of a crust that had formed over crystals that have since dissolved away.

Locale: Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico

Approx dimensions: 4 x 2.25 x 1"

Approx weight: 130g

This material from Santa Eulalia has rhombohedral calcite crystals on a red-brown iron-oxide matrix. The 'craters' pockmarking the surface create an unusual moonscape appearance—or maybe more Mars-scape with the flat red color of the piece.

The crater shapes appear to be the remnants of a crust that had formed over crystals that have since dissolved away. Ripples and flow patterns indicate water was involved in the deposition of the brown sandy-textured crust, which appears matte but glitters under direct light.

The brown crust doesn't cover the larger calcite crystals, but they have the same color as the rest of the piece due to hematite (iron oxide) inclusions dusting their interiors.

** Staining warning! The soft matrix on the back can leave light red-brown dusty staining on surfaces.