Gypsum (classic ''floater'' specimen)

Item Description

Gypsum is a well-known and fairly widespread species, but it's difficult to find distinctive examples that stand out from others. I certainly think that the attractive specimens from the Red River Floodway in Manitoba, Canada are some of the most iconic and instantly recognizable examples of the species out there. They have beautiful form combined with excellent quality crystals, and they are certainly a must have for any fan of Gypsum as a species, or fine crystallization. This small cabinet specimen features a deposition of rich golden colored, sharp, lustrous gemmy blades of Gypsum which have formed around the interior of an earlier generation of sandy spherical aggregates of Gypsum. The largest bladed of Gypsum measures 2.8 cm. There are a few contacted crystals, but it's largely undamaged. This particular style is different from others I've seen from this locality, and it reminds me of a Pyrite "sun" in terms of the somewhat flattened formation, and the fiery color really helps reinforce that comparison. This piece is a complete "floater", and formed in a calcium clay/sediment, with no point of attachment whatsoever. Once the sediment was rinsed off, the perfect specimen was revealed. The piece is beautifully fluorescent as well showing a soft yellow hue under SW UV light. Another important aspect of this specimen is that it is NOT repaired, which makes a difference with this material, as many were glued back together.