Analcime (old classic - Type Locality)

Item Description

An OLD-TIME, very large analcime crystal from the historic Type Locality: the Cyclopean Islands off the coast of Catania, Sicily, part of the famous Mount Etna Volcanic Complex. Famed French mineralogist Rene Just Hauy named the species in 1797! The sharp lustrous porceleanous ivory trapezohedron is accented with embedded basalt fragments and a bit of staining. Complete all-around and in great shape, with only a couple of mostly out-of-sight contacts. Analcime specimens of this size and quality are VERY RARE from here. From an East Coast collection and comes with two century-old faded and water-stained labels. Classic and important large old Type Locality specimen, the kind of thing we seldom if ever see for sale.