Cobalto Calcite (Pink Drusy)

Lovely light pink to dark magenta Cobalto Calcite (AKA Cobalticalcite, Cobaltian Calcite, and believed to be more correctly-Cobaltoan Dolomite) from the Kakanda Mine, in the Katanga Copper Crescent, Shaba Province, Zaire, Africa.

This is a variety of Calcite containing Cobalt. The result of the cobalt is that the calcite is colored a pale pink. In pure sphaerocobaltite (most examples contain a small but significant percentage of calcium), the coloring effect is magnified.

This material is often called Pink Drusy. Drusy (or druzy, or druse) is a trade name for a natural surface coating of fine crystals that sparkle. Sometimes the crystals are quartz and those crystals will usually reflect the color of the mineral below. Sometimes the crystals may actually be of the same minerals that occured in the rock below.

This material truly makes a "designer cabochon" as the material must be handcut to follow the crystals-so it is usually a freeform and very unique cabochon

Metaphysical Properties: Pink Cobalto Calcite is said to symbolize love and caring and is good for broken hearts and self discovery.