Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) (rare locality specimen) (ex Alex Venzke Collection)

Item Description

The Jurassic diabase trap rock quarries of the Leesburg area are famous for exceptional hydroxyapophyllite-(K) specimens and this is an outstanding and rare combination from this quarry. Blocky, tabular crystals are aesthetically set on the layered prehnite matrix crust. The pearlescent, translucent crystals reach 2.3 cm and the whole piece is preferentially cloaked in tiny glassy calcite rhombs. Specimens of this combination quality are rare to find from the New Goose Creek Quarry. This specimen comes from the collection of our own Alex Venzke (#82.19), member of the leadership team of the Young Mineral Collectors group, a member of the mindat.org management team, a board member for the national Friends of Mineralogy organization, a board member for the Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbia, and co-founder and current Vice President of the Friends of Mineralogy Virginia Chapter.