Apophyllite, Calcite & Stilbite (superb - Steve Smale Coll.)

Item Description

Wonderful composition on this superb, stunning large combination from Jalgaon and the Steve Smale Collection. A fantastic 4.8 cm, bi-colored, blocky, tetragonal apophyllite crystal dominates the left side of the very sculptural, expertly prepared piece. The glassy crystal has a variable pretty mint-green body and is capped by a dazzling colorless termination with a myriad of jagged terminations. Pearlescent stilbite blades and clusters partially obscure a striking 8.0 cm cluster of six intergrown, straw-yellow, translucent calcite rhombs with silky lustre faces on the right side of the piece. The basalt matrix is beautifully and richly accented with more stilbite blades on the sparkly, snow-white drusy quartz. Steve is recognized as one of the world's great mineral collecting connoisseurs and this clearly exceptional pristine large combination dramatically qualifies. Fairly valued at $2-3000 and certainly worth it. I recently obtained it in a large trade with Steve. The specimen would be $7500 to $10,000 at major shows, with the outstanding provenance. The piece displays beautifully without aid. An important Jalgaon combination.