Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Dolomite |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Form | Druzy |
| You receive | The exact specimen pictured |
About this specimen
A large, substantial plate covered edge to edge in a dense druse of small salmon-pink crystals, sitting on a grey-green matrix. The crystal carpet runs across the whole face and wraps around the lobes of the piece, so it reads as a continuous glittering crust rather than a few scattered points — a strong display specimen with real shelf presence.
Where it came from, and what we know. This piece came out of an older vintage collection and arrived with no label, so its original locality was never recorded and its identity was never confirmed on paper. The name on this listing is our own identification, made by eye from the specimen and its photos. It is a best guess, not a tested or lab-confirmed ID, and we want to be upfront about that.
Why we think it is pink dolomite. The crystals are blocky rhombohedra rather than points, many of them with the slightly curved, warped “saddle” faces that are close to a signature of dolomite and that calcite does not normally show. The lustre is pearly to waxy rather than glassy, and the soft salmon-pink colour is typical of dolomite carrying trace iron and manganese in its structure. The closest alternative would be pink manganoan calcite. The matrix underneath looks to us like altered basalt, and pink dolomite on basalt is a classic combination from the trap-rock quarries of the northeastern United States — but with no label, that is an observation, not a claimed locality.
If you want to confirm the ID yourself, it is easy to do without damaging the display face: scratch a little powder from the underside and add a drop of vinegar. Dolomite powder fizzes slowly and weakly; calcite fizzes hard and immediately.
Care. Dolomite is a calcium magnesium carbonate at Mohs 3.5 to 4, with good rhombohedral cleavage, so the individual crystals can chip if knocked. Keep it displayed rather than loose in a drawer, dust it dry or with a soft brush, and keep it away from vinegar and any acidic cleaner, which will etch the crystal faces.
For collectors who need documented locality data for every piece, treat this as a display specimen. For anyone who enjoys a well-crystallised plate with a bit of history and a small identification puzzle attached, it is a very good one. Sold as the exact piece photographed.
Dolomite: the science
- Dolomite’s crystals commonly curve into a “saddle” shape because of strain in their structure.
- Unlike calcite, dolomite barely fizzes in cold dilute acid unless it is powdered, a classic field distinction.
- Dolomite is also a rock type: the Little Falls Dolostone that hosts Herkimer diamonds is made mostly of it.
Go deeper
Want the full story on dolomite: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is dolomite?
Dolomite is a calcium magnesium carbonate. It often grows as curved, saddle-shaped crystals, and pink tones usually come from traces of manganese or cobalt.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 3.5–4 on the Mohs scale. Mohs 3.5–4. Avoid acids and harsh cleaners; dust gently or rinse briefly and air dry.
Is this the exact piece I will receive?
Yes. This listing was photographed individually, and you receive the exact piece shown in the photos.
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