Artinite

Item Description

Beautiful radiating "sprays" of white Artinite from San Benito County. Formed in low-temperature hydrothermal environments within serpentinized ultrabasic rocks, you would not believe that this is a rare, hydrated carbonate rather than a zeolite similar to Mesolite or Scolecite. The radiating balls, up to 1.3 cm across, cover nearly the entire matrix, and the luster of the acicular needles is so good that the piece looks like glittering, newly-fallen snow. Delicate and exquisite, this wonderful miniature was #5267 in Kay's collection.