Blodite (Ordway and Reynolds Coll.) - large crystal

Item Description

The world's finest examples of blodite, a very uncommon hydrated Na-Mg-sulfate come from the Soda Lake evaporite deposit and this an outstanding and nearly pristine floater small cabinet. The super sharp monoclinic prism has striking typical complex form for the locale. The vitreous lustre crystal is mostly transparent to translucent and features dark organic inclusions, common for the species and locale. One face has a small ding, not uncommon for such a soft species, and certainly acceptable. Fairy common in the 1960s, specimens of this quality are RARE today and are seldom on the market. Blodite is water-soluble and should be given a protective acrylic coating to prevent dissolution, or coated periodically with mineral oil. THIS CANNOT be in humid environments, or it will lose its surface luster and color. . Formerly in the Al Ordway Collection and acquired in 1986. Ex Bob Reynolds Collection, a well-known fossil and mineral expert and Curator of the San Bernardino County Museum. He passed away in 2020. A very fine blodite from the famous locale.