Cobaltoan means cobalt-bearing, and the cobalt is the whole secret. Calcite is among the most familiar minerals on earth, and most often pale: colorless, white, honey. Only seldom does cobalt enter its crystals, and when it does, it turns them this pink. Under ultraviolet, this one answers with a very rare blazing crimson glow.
This specimen is from the Congo, and it holds two metals at once: cobalt within the crystals, iron laid over them as a druzy so fine the magenta shows through. Turn it, and the sparkle travels from face to face, dark metal over hot pink.
In crystal traditions, pink calcite has long been called a stone of tenderness, said to bring compassion, gentleness and a quiet kind of love. In old lore it is kept close as a calming presence, a soft stone for hard seasons. Collectors prize cobaltoan calcite for a color calcite so seldom wears.
