Gypsum var. Selenite (fluorescent)

Item Description

Red River Floodway Gypsums (var. Selenite) are quite well-known for their dramatic and instantly recognizable clusters. Most often the clusters are composed of thin, distinctive blades, but on occasion the Selenite crystals are thick (well over 2 cm). When this is the case, as we have here, the crystals tend to be absolutely water clear with a hint of champagne color, and in three-dimensional stellate clusters. Add to that a gorgeous, 'moon-glow' blue-white fluorescence, and you realize in short order that these are striking in any light. Imagine you are going to a winter gala where ice crystals are the theme - Gypsums such as this would make great centerpieces on the tables. These Selentites started coming out as far back as the 1960s through the 1990s from the banks of the Red River Floodway, where they were found within calcium clay/sediment. Collecting is now severely restricted in this spillway cut, and in any case few specimens of this size and perfection were ever recovered. A fine specimen, valued $1000-1250 From the collection of East Coast collector, George Elling, specializing in historic minerals of the East Coast and minerals from the development of old European mineralogy.