Detailed Description This is a complex crystal of hydroxyapophyllite-(K). An earlier generation growth shows through in a couple of places, but is almost entirely covered with a later generation growth. The later generation growth has highly lustrous striated prism faces, and the termination faces have a matte white coating, possibly laumontite. Stands perfectly for display as […]

Detailed Description This crystal plate features a wonderful 3.3 cm tabular hydroxyapophyllite-(K), with many others in association. The crystals are sharp, with brilliant lustre on the edges and a dusting of sparkling second-generation crystals on the broad faces. In excellent condition.  From the Virginia suite of the John S. White Collection (catalogue no. 14-5-10). About […]

Detailed Description This hydroxyapophyllite-(K) from the famous Fairfax Quarry features two groups of sharp, lustrous tabular crystals. This style of crystal grouping is iconic from the two big finds at this locality, in 1953 and 1967. This specimen was originally in the collection of Dr. Warren Johansson (his label is with the piece), with a […]

Detailed Description A fantastic cluster of hydroxyapophyllite-(K) crystals on prehnite from the Fairfax Quarry. The crystals are sharp and lustrous, with bright glassy surfaces and very fine striations. In excellent condition. This piece has bornite embedded in the prehnite, indicating that it is from the 1967 pocket (the same find that produced the Smithsonian’s famous […]

Detailed Description This is an unusual hydroxyapophyllite-(K) for the locality. When we think of apophyllite from the Fairfax Quarry, we think of the famous clusters of off-white tabular crystals from the two big 20th century pockets. This is completely different – these are light green blocky crystals with the textbook form that looks almost cuboctahedral. […]

Detailed Description A spectacular cabinet display specimen of hydroxyapophyllite-(K) on green prehnite from the famous finds at the Fairfax Quarry. This specimen features two prominent apophyllite clusters, one prominent single tabular crystal, and many smaller crystals as well. These crystals of hyroxyapphyllite-(K) are sharp and lustrous, with the habit typical of the two big “pipe” […]

Detailed Description This is a cluster of superb crystals of  hydroxyapophyllite-(K) from the famous Fairfax Quarry. The crystals in this cluster are sharp and lustrous, and in excellent condition. The large crystal in this group is a very good size for the Fairfax finds at 6.5 cm – remarkable for the species. From the Virginia suite […]

This hematite pseudomorph after magnetite is very sharp, with few of the elongated or skeletal crystal forms one often sees from this locality – these are primarily crisp octahedra. It is dark steel-grey with red hematite on some surfaces and good metallic lustre under the lights. In excellent condition. From the Steve Szilard collection. About […]

An icy topaz crystal – this crystal has the very lightest hint of blue. It is lustrous and transparent, with heavily striated prism faces.  The prism faces are sharp and lustrous, and the termination faces exhibit both lustrous areas and more complex etched areas – very cool.  In excellent condition, one edge chip on a […]

A sharp, elongated galena crystal perched on smaller galena crystals, from the Borieva Mine. The crystals are mirror-bright and exhibit cubic and octahedral faces. The crystals are complete – they are skeletal and underdeveloped in back/underneath. In excellent condition, no damage. From the Steve Szilard collection (he acquired it from Frank and Wendy Melanson), a […]

Two beautiful dark blue crystals of anatase (0.7 cm) on sparkling albite. These are sharp and lustrous anatase crystals, and they look black unless examined more closely with good light (they are certainly blue). In excellent condition, no damage. I note that the crevice in the matrix is not a crack that runs through and […]