Spinel on Calcite
Mahenge, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
2.2 cm x 1.9 cm x 1.8 cm
Here is a wonderful small specimen of Spinel crystals on Calcite from Tanzania.
Many call these *Ruby Spinel* not only due to the coloring,
but also due to the very high chromium content, which turns it the brightest red color under UV lighting.
This specimen looks a little more pinkish purple to the eye, until you back light it.
The camera lens does make them look a bit more red than the eye picks up.
This specimen contains a cluster of well formed spinel crystals.
The spinel crystals have beautiful color and are transparent to translucent.
A really nice thumbnail size specimen.
