Fluorapophyllite-(K) on Chalcedony Stalactite (pseudo-''faden'') (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

This unusual and attractive specimen features many sharp, lustrous, gemmy to WATER CLEAR, prismatic crystals of Fluorapophyllite-(K) measuring up to 5.6 cm which are growing over a thin stalactite of Chalcedony. The bluish color that you're seeing is actually coming from the Chalcedony stalactite at the center of the specimen, and is not part of the color of the Apophyllites. When you look closely, and even with a bit of backlighting, you can see that the stalactite runs the length of the specimen, completely through both ends of the largest crystal. It reminds me of "Faden" Quartz specimens I've seen from various world localities, but I don't think this truly counts as an actual "Faden", though there is a clear "string" (Faden is the German word for string), running through the piece. The only point of attachment is actually at the end of the specimen, where you can see a tiny radial "dot" of the Chalcedony stalactite which was detached from where it grew at the pocket wall. A really interesting and hard to find specimen from the famous Deccan Trap in India. Indian Zeolites (and associated species like Apophyllite, which is not actually a zeolite) may still be fairly common on the market, but you cannot deny the fact that they are colorful, attractive, highly displayable and several of them are the finest examples of their respective species extant ! Price at $950 in the inventory. Ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.