Fluorapophyllite-(K) (rare color)

Item Description

The Jalgaon District in India for several decades has been a source of supreme crystallized specimens of various zeolites and associated minerals (Apophyllite is not a zeolite, but is often found in association with minerals like Stilbite, Heulandite, etc.). This piece is a very attractive miniature display piece featuring an eye-catching "spray" of sharp, lustrous, well-formed pyramidal crystals of Fluorapophyllite-(K) measuring up to 2.0 cm on minor matrix, but the major draw is that the crystals have a dark reddish-brown color, due to inclusions of either Hematite or Goethite (both are forms of iron oxide). If you backlight the Apophyllite crystals, there is a tiny bit of internal translucency which shows that they are actually colorless in spots. Looking closely with a loupe, you can see tiny little sparkling "balls" of colorless Quartz/Chalcedony, creating a nice effect. Yes, there are many specimens of Apophyllite on the market from India these days, but a piece like this with such a distinctive color is certainly rare, and you're not likely to see another one anytime soon, so if you're a fan of minerals from the Deccan Trap, don't miss out on this attractive and unusual piece for your collection. From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#7320). This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the mi The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.