Blue Halite ex Halpern (intensely colored old specimen)

Item Description

A classic, gorgeous, deeply blue halite specimen from the ancient mines of Germany. People have variously said the color is a product of radiation and rare earth minerals, or of isotopes of those same REE with other elements at small levels. In any case, they are gorgeous. This one, when backlit, shows deep colors, and interesting banded patterns. Is it stable? The answer is, not in humid environments like Miami but absolutely if in a normal air-conditioned home, it is (and this was purchased by Jack over 40 years ago and has been on display since that time, in his home). I have never really fully understood what causes the blue, but this is a REALLY rich blue, and you can read more in such papers as this one we found online: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00710-014-0323-9. The science is still ongoing, apparently! In any case, this is big, blue, colorful, old , and classic! 2.2 kilos in mass, this is big. Also, our measurements gave sitting dimensions as shown in pic 1, if you tilt it for maximum impact lengthwise, longest dimension is actually 20 x 12 x 10 cm. Sitting with the angle showing the cubic faces flat on top, it is 14 x 14 x 10 cm.