Leonite (superb crystals) with Halite (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

Leonite is a fairly rare hydrated potassium magnesium sulfate that was named after Leo Strippelmann, who was the directly of the salt works at Westeregeln, Germany (the type locality for Leonite). This piece came labeled as coming from a village named Bockeloh in the Hannover Region of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen). The name means "beech forest" according to wikipedia. I can't find a listing for Leonite coming from this specific locality, but there is a Niedersachsen Potash Works in Lower Saxony where both Leonite and Halite are reported, so I'm using that for the locality. If anybody has any more information about the locality, please let us know. This piece is a superb example of Leonite featuring a gorgeous "fan"-like spray of soft pinkish-white colored, prismatic, monoclinic "blades" which are associated with sharp, well-formed, cubic crystals of Halite all over the piece. The largest individual Leonite measures 2.4 cm long, while the largest Halite measures 2.7 cm on edge. GREAT quality all around, and virtually impossible to find in such excellent crystals from the standpoint of the Leonite. Please note that these species are vulnerable to moisture and can easily be dissolved in a humid environment, so please keep this in mind when bidding. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#3753). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Velt" November-December 2017). What a wonderful German classic! Valued at $1750.