Apophyllite "balls" (Kay Robertson Coll.)

Item Description

Three intergrown "balls" of sharp, glassy, translucent, tetragonal apophyllite crystals form a sculptural 360-degree miniature from this historic iron mine. Classic material from this OLD Pennsylvania (started in 1732) open pit and underground iron mine. Much of the operation came to an abrupt halt in June 1972 when floods from Hurricane Agnes flooded the underground mines. Neither underground operation was reopened, but ore recovery continued from the eastern end of the open pit until June 30, 1973 (MINDAT). Complete all-around and essentially pristine, with only a small point of attachment on one side of one ball. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 7649 and acquired in May, 1975. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record).