Benstonite epitaxially overgrowing Calcite (ex David Burgess Collection)

Item Description

A classic specimen of the famous and hard to find Benstonites from the Minerva No. 1 Mine in southern Illinois. This miniature sized specimen hosts pagoda-like groups which are actually Calcite scalenohedra which have been epitaxially overgrown by white Benstonite. Golden Fluorite cubes can be seen at the base of the specimen. The largest Benstonite / Calcite group measures 3.3 cm long. Good quality crystallization, though there are a few contacts here and there, so it's not pristine. Benstonite is a fairly rare barium calcium magnesium carbonate, and some of the best known examples of the species were found at this mine. If you collect Hardin County minerals, or rare carbonates, don't miss out on this one. From the worldwide collection of David Burgess (1951-2016). David was a prolific species collector from Newington, Connecticut, and the namesake for the extremely rare cobalt arsenate species Burgessite, which he discovered.