Kernite (naturally grown with human help)

Item Description

An attractive, sharp Kernite crystal from the Rio Tinto Pit in Boron, California. The label accompanying this piece states that it was, "grown naturally in a man made lab". That's not quite the case. Although these crystals do not grow on their own in nature, they are formed as a byproduct inside of large dissolution tanks at the mine where the borax is melted down. Keep in mind that naturally occurring Kernite is found at this locality, but never in such well-formed euhedral crystals, but typically as partial cleavages. This crystal is nearly a complete "floater", crystallized all over, with a chalky white exterior and slight internal translucency. A cool reference specimen for any fan of borate minerals or specimens from California. From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#2724a). 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.