Celestine, with Sulphur, on Aragonite (fluorescent) - circa 1800s

Item Description

The Racalmuto sulphur mines are known for their Celestine and Suplhur specimens, but rarely do you see the Celestine in this habit, and in such clusters. Most often the Celestines are blocky, prismatic crystals, but here they are small, very attractive, slender crystals up to 9 mm. Many are gemmy, and the good luster only serves to accentuate the light, blue-grey color that so common to Celestine. These crystals have grown in stellate clusters that are so aesthetic and eye-catching that they seem to reach out and grab your attention. Dusting the Celestines are small amounts of bright yellow Sulphur, and they are all underlain by a matrix rich in fluorescent Aragonite. This is really a first-rate combination specimen for sparkle and glassiness, if not for crystal size. Previously in the Miller collection from the 1800’s, after which it went to James B. Cone and the Wadsworth Atheneaum, and then to the Loomis Chaffee School (this label style is known to have that history).From the large worldwide collection of historical minerals, of George Elling of New Jersey.