Pink Cobaltoan Calcite Crystals
Cobaltoan calcite crystals from stone mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Large and distinctively pink, these grade-A stones deserve to be displayed somewhere they can be seen and enjoyed.
Their impressive colour is caused by impurities of cobalt. This relatively rare mineral can only be found in a few countries. Most of the finest cobaltoan calcite specimens come from Congo and Morocco.
Cobalt is one of the most economically important metals in the world. It's a vital component for the production of lithium ion batteries, which are used in electronic equipment and a variety of applications.
When a higher concentration of cobalt is present, the shade and depth of colour are increased.
Being a variety of calcite, cobaltoan calcite is quite soft, so it should be handled carefully.
I have not been able to ascertain whether the pink colour of cobaltoan calcite is stable. Exposure to UV light causes many natural minerals to fade and some fade quicker than others.
Although classed as large tumbled stones, size can vary from piece to piece.
