Morocco Plume in Calcite

This unusual formation of dendrites in a calcite matrix includes green malachite and black psilomelane. The malachite dendrites are fibrous malachite that has a metallic luster. The green and black dendrites are striking against the white calcite matrix. Malachite is a copper carbonate mineral that is often found in associate with other carbonate minerals such as calcite and forms where magma is introduced into the calcite rich host rock. This new material is from Morocco, Africa.

This material polished beautifully. The calcite is very soft, so it is important to use care when shaping and polishing this material to avoid damaging the calcite. I did most of the shaping on my cabs with the 280 soft wheel after only a very rough shape on the 220 hard wheel.