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.
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.
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.