Fluorapophyllite-(K) with Natrolite

Item Description

While most people think of Amethyst and Calcite specimens when it comes to Rio Grande do Sul, there are some crystallized vugs in the basalt deposits that produce zeolites and associated minerals, quite similar to the famous pieces from the Deccan Trap in India. This piece is a sharp, lustrous, translucent, blocky, soft green colored, pseudo-cubic crystal of Fluorapophyllite-(K) associated with a few prismatic crystals of Natrolite measuring up to 3.2 cm, and very minor attached matrix on the back. It's more of a reference specimen, as it's not 100% damage free, but it's still a cool representative piece from this well-known mineral producing state in Brazil. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert ("Al") Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.