Fluorapophyllite-(K) on Prehnite ''casts'' (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

Here we have an aesthetic cabinet sized piece loaded with colorless, gemmy, highly lustrous, blocky to prismatic crystals of Fluorapophyllite-(K) measuring up to 1.3 cm long sitting atop elongated "finger"-like groups of soft greenish colored Prehnite, which are actually "casts" (replacements) after prismatic crystals of either Quartz, Anhydrite or Laumontite. There is no matrix on the piece, and it's actually nearly a complete "floater" as it is crystallized on all sides, and there is only a small point of attachment at the base where it was removed from the pocket wall. Hard to photograph, but very eye-catching in person, and a wonderful association specimen of this older material. This particular piece was mined in the late 1990s. Valued at $1,750 in our 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.