Pink Manganocalcite – Zlatograd, Bulgaria | Ref. 104

Specimen overview

This pink manganocalcite from Zlatograd, Bulgaria, displays a very pale colour ranging from pink to pinkish white. The specimen consists of a particularly compact group of closely intergrown crystals, giving the piece an almost monolithic appearance.

Despite this compact structure, several crystal terminations remain visible on the different faces of the specimen. The surfaces show variations in relief, translucency and lustre, making the arrangement of the crystals more apparent from different viewing angles.

Provenance

This manganocalcite comes from Zlatograd, in Smolyan Province, southern Bulgaria. This mining region is known notably for its lead-zinc mineralisation and for various carbonate associations, including manganese-bearing calcite.

This specimen was collected in 2008.

Composition

Manganocalcite, also known as manganese-bearing calcite, is calcite containing manganese, which partially substitutes for calcium within its structure. Its formula can be represented as (Ca,Mn)CO₃. The presence of manganese is notably responsible for the characteristic pink shades of this variety.

Dimensions and presentation

Stone dimensions: 50 mm wide × 65 mm high
Weight: 175 g
Presentation: displayed on an acrylic base