Miserite (very rare) (fluorescent) (ex Henry de Linde Collection)

Item Description

Miserite is a rare potassium calcium rare earth silicate, which is only found in just over a dozen places in the world. Committed collectors are always looking for specimens from the type locality in Arkansas, the North Wilson Pit. Here we have an attractive small cabinet specimen featuring soft purplish-pink Miserite which is associated with acicular grey-white crystals of what is either Pectolite or Wollastonite and a slight amount of black Aegirine. At first glance, you might think this is massive material, but under magnification you can see that there are actual crystal faces (!) here and there, making it much more desirable than a simple "chunk" of Miserite. Lastly, this species is one of the more sought after fluorescent minerals from any US locality, as the Miserite displays a pleasing yellow hue under SW UV light. If you collect minerals from the type locality, fluorescent species or rarities, this piece fits ALL THREE categories, along with the provenance of coming from one of the most well-known figures in the history of Arkansas minerals. From the collection of Henry de Linde (March 21, 1923 – April 4, 2019) of Hot Spring, Arkansas. Henry was one of the most prominent figures in the history of Arkansas mining and mineral collecting. Along with being a miner, mineral collector and an amateur mineralogist, de Linde was one of the founders of the Coon Creek Association mineral club. He was the owner of several key localities in Arkansas including the Diamond Jo Quarry (on the south rim of Magnet Cove), the type locality for Delindeite, which was named in his honor in 1987.