Large glowing orange/red Phantom Calcite from Guilin in China

A large, luminous phantom calcite from Guilin, China, in an orange-red coloration. The phantom structures within the scalenohedral crystals document the growth sequence as visible internal layers.

Calcite (CaCO₃) is the most habit-rich carbonate mineral and crystallizes trigonally. The orange-red coloration is caused by trace amounts of manganese and iron in specific concentrations during crystallization. Such vibrantly colored calcites are considered premium material.

Phantoms occur when the solution chemistry oscillates during crystallization: intermittent shifts in trace elements color the growth layer differently from the surrounding material. The phantom lines show the historical crystal front in a visible cross-section.

Guilin, in the karst region of southern China, is world-renowned for well-crystallized carbonate minerals. Extraction takes place in deep cave systems under difficult conditions.

A collector's item with instructive phantom stratigraphy and vibrant carbonate coloration.