This is a very cool Glendonite Crystals in mudstone Matrix Sphere Ball from Russia.
Glendonite is a calcite pseudomorph after Ikaite.
Ikaite is the hexahydrate form of calcium carbonate. It forms in very steep or spiky pyramidal crystals, often radially arranged, of varied sizes from thumbnail to gigantic spurs. It is only found in a metastable state, and decomposes rapidy by losing most of its water content once removed from near-freezing water. This 'melting mineral' is more commonly known through its pseudomorphs. True Ikaite is currently found in Greenland and Antarctica. The common denominator for Ikaite growth and it's pseudomorphs is cold temperatures. Our Glendonite specimens are from the Kola Peninsula in northwestern Russia and is inside the Arctic Circle, where warmest temperatures range from 14 degrees in January to 52 degrees in July.
Location: Olenitsa River, White Sea Coast, Murmansk Oblast, Russia
Size: 4.5 Centimeters diameter
Weigh: 115 Grams Combined