Gibbsite- type locale, historic specimen
stock #16.1-125
Richmond, Berkshire County
Massachusetts,
United States
7.7 x 5.6 x 5.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Pre Tucson
A fine botryoidal crust of yellowish-white Gibbsite on Limonite ore. From the famed Oren Root collection (with label) which was transferred to Hamilton College in 1835. The Root collection was at that time the finest in the United Staes. This was a new specie named in 1822 in honor of Colonel George Gibbs who was also an important early American mineral collector. This is a very early piece from the type locale, when first found it was misidentified as Wavellite. The specimen left Hamilton College to the NY State Museum collection then to Don Potter and later to Dr. Steven Chamberlain, then to Carter Rich. A long history indeed. Good fluorescence as well, with green and yellow zones LW and midwave shows green to bluish purple and yellow zones.
Titanite - Northeast USA classic
stock #23.1-343
Acushnet Quarry (Warren Bros.) Acushnet, Bristol County
Massachusetts,
United States
4.4 x 1.9 x .8 CM (miniature)
price: $320
Spring 23
A large, (huge for the locality), doubly terminated and complete Titanite crystal from the Acushnet Quarry. Famed for finds of Apatites some years ago, this quarry has unusual geology and had been the source of alpine cleft type specimens especially Pericline, Adularia and Apatite. A few Titanites were also found, usually small and encrusted with Chlorite. This sizable crystal is the largest I have ever seen, somewhat crude but undamaged, complete on all edges and has translucent rich green color. Very choice New England specimen.
Datolite on Prehnite with Calcite
stock #22.1-663
Lane Quarry, Westfield, Hampden Co.
Massachusetts,
United States
4.9 x 3.7 x 2.1 CM (miniature)
price: $440
Fall 22
Colorful Northeastern USA classic specimen. From the Lane Quarry (Massachusetts) this is a bright apple -green Prehnite base featuring a sharp, lustrous white Datolite and bright orange Calcites. This Basalt quarry was at one time famed as the source of the world's best Babingtonites, and some of the best Datolites as well. Since then, the Chinese Babingtonites and Russian Datolites have taken those crowns. However colorful combinations like this are unusual and unlike specimens from other world localities. The center is in excellent condition, only minor outer edge roughness is noted.
Apatite on Albite covered by Chlorite
stock #14.1-210
Acushnet Quarry (Warren Bros.) Acushnet, Bristol County
Massachusetts,
United States
4.1 x 3.2 x 2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $180
Fall 22
A northeastern USA classic, from the less well-known Acushnet Quarry (Massachusetts). The specimens from the clefts in this quarry are identical to classic Alpine pieces. The locality is most known for Apatite (Fluorapatite) in a wide range of colors. Nothing has come out for some years but the specimens collected by Ernie Schlichter (and others) 25 plus years ago are now classics. This is an Ex Schlichter piece with a perfect gem yellow Apatite nestled in Albite crystals covered by Chlorite.
Babingtonite - classic USA
stock #9.1-292
Lane Quarry, Westfield, Hampden Co.
Massachusetts,
United States
5.8 x 3.8 3.6 CM x (cabinet)
price: $550
new year 2021
A remarkable tree-like cluster of well formed fairly lustrous and distinct Babingtonite crystals on a sliver of matrix. From the Lane Quarry of Westfield, Massachusetts found a few decades ago, this locality was at the time famed for the world's best Babingtonites. The more recent discovery of superb Babingtonites from China since took the title of world's best for the specie but those are very different in habit. The old classic US specimens are unique and still prized in collections as they are more rare and have an immediately recognized look very different from the Chinese specimens. This piece is very fine for the locale and is in fine condition overall with crystals to about 1 CM. Almost impossible to find for sale today in any quality, this one is unusually choice.
Amethyst scepter
stock #AX-12-008
Simeone Quarry, Wrentham
Massachusetts,
United States
4 x 3.2 x 2 CM (miniature)
price: $220
pre Tucson 2015 update
A small but well defined Massachusetts Amethyst in scepters and parallel growths. Sharp with good clarity and subdued zoned color, this is for its size a very fine specimen from this locale. A fair sized contact on the edge back is not seen when mounted for display. All of the three top tips are perfectly undamaged even at 30X magnification. Very few were found in this condition.
Impressive and a Northeastern US classic! Sharp, clear and bright gemmy Datolites up to 2.4 CM with selective faces colored a nice cognac hue sit on a contrasting green Prehnite. As esthetic as you can find, the main crystals are in perfect condition but non detracting damage is noted on a few smaller crystals and at the edges. Despite this it displays very well and is a striking specimen from this old locale.
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