Calcite Stalactite

Calcite Stalactite Facts

The Wenshan locality is primarily known as a zinc mine, not a cave system. The mine produces minerals such as calcite, aragonite, hemimorphite, and aurichalcite. The unusual cave-like carbonate formations were discovered within underground cavities associated with the mining area.

Wenshan specimens are famous for bizarre growth habits that can look like flowers, frostwork, coral, or mushrooms. These delicate branching forms develop when crystals grow in open cavities with stable humidity and mineral-rich fluids.

To be accurate, these stalactites are actually composed largely of aragonite, a mineral with the same chemical formula as calcite (CaCO₃) but a different crystal structure.