Large Stilbite (old NJ classic) Philadelphia Academy

Item Description

Radial sprays of shimmering pearlescent stilbite lathes line a vein and dominate this impressive, large, sculptural, two-sided old-time specimen from the historic traprock deposits of the Summit area. The striking large spray is 6.0 cm across and the nearly undamaged protected ball above is 3.5 cm across. The interconnected sprays on both sides make for a remarkable architectural specimen. It is possible that any number of mineral species could have been encountered in the Watchung Basalt within the Summit city limits during typical excavations to install municipal infrastructure and to accomodate the foundations of structures (MINDAT). The majority, if not nearly all, of them may actually be occurrences in the Commonwealth set of historical quarries which were actually located in adjacent Springfield Township. The well-known Houdaille Quarry is historically referred to as being in Summit (Summit Quarry) and was active in the early 1900s (MINDAT). Ex Philadelphia Academy Collection # 21786 and presented to the Academy in 1931. Classic, rich and excellent large Summit stilbite.