Chalcanthite, Melanterite & Romerite (Philadelphia Academy, found 1921)

Item Description

This is a bizarre nubby, fluted columnar stalactitic chalcanthite specimen that is coated by a thin layer of the uncommon iron sulphate romerite, through which nests of sharp, bladed, beautiful blue melanterite crystals to 6mm in size poke out every which way on all sides. Although not pristine (there are some bruised spots), it is dramatic and impressively displayable. According to museum records and the number on the back of the piece (19977), this dates to the time period as the Vaux expeditions of the 1920s and thus was most likely collected by Sam Gordon, then-curator, on one of the early Vaux expeditions (1st or 2nd)! You can see this dating jives with the dating on the museum's own large format display label, noting Sam Gordon collected the specimen in 1921 (then on the Vaux expeditions). Valued at $1250.