3" Epidote, Calcite and Magnetite Crystal Association - Peru

This is a beautiful association of quartz, calcite and magnetic magnetite crystals that was collected from the Cañete Province of Peru.

Epidote is a green silicate mineral that is commonly found in regionally metamorphosed rocks. It often forms lustrous, elongated, and interconnected crystals that are highly coveted by collectors. While nearly all epidote is green, it may take on many different shades and tones from yellowish to deep green.

Magnetite is an iron oxide mineral with the chemical formula Fe₃O₄. It the most magnetic naturally occurring mineral on Earth and is an important iron ore. It has an iron content of up to 72.4 percent, which explains why it is such a commonly mined iron ore. Magnetite can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock.

Calcite, CaCO3, is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. The other polymorphs are the minerals aragonite and vaterite. Calcite crystals are trigonal-rhombohedral, though actual calcite rhombohedra are rare as natural crystals. However, they show a remarkable variety of habits including acute to obtuse rhombohedra, tabular forms, and prisms. Calcite exhibits several twinning types adding to the variety of observed forms. It may occur as fibrous, granular, lamellar, or compact. Cleavage is usually in three directions parallel to the rhombohedron form.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Epidote, Calcite & Magnetite
LOCATION
Cerro San Cristobal, Cañete Province, Lima Department, Peru
SIZE
3" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#132647