The polymetallic mines and quarries of far‑Eastern Russia are justly famed for beautifully‑crystallized specimens of both ore and gangue minerals of which the most famous are the water‑clear fluorites from the Nikolaevskiy Mine and the fabulous range of forms found in the calcites from the Verkhnii Mine. This calcite from Verkhnii brings forth the best of both worlds: optical clarity and immaculate crystal form, with modified scalenohedra up to 8cm in size with glassy lustre and well‑developed facial striae. The four major crystals and supporting cast of minor scalenohedra are completely free of damage, resembling nothing less than a perfect mound of ice recently released from a glacial front to float across a lake capturing and releasing sunlight as it goes.