Natrolite-Mesolite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

The minerals of the Deccan Trap in India (mostly zeolite species) are for the most part, the finest crystallized examples of their respective species ever found. This piece is a great example of said material featuring a fantastic 4.5 cm (approximately) radial "spray" comprising thin, colorless prismatic crystals of Natrolite-Mesolite sitting beautifully inside a Quartz crystal lined basalt vug. It's actually more of a geode than a vug, but it has been opened/exposed on both sides to reveal the crystallized treasures inside. A few small accenting rhombic white/colorless Calcite crystals make for a great touch. It's virtually impossible to tell by eye if these crystals are Natrolite or Mesolite, and there are crystals from many localities in Maharashtra that have been analyzed only to show that MULTIPLE species can exist within the same crystal! I've seen reports that Natrolite, Mesolite and Scolecite have been observed within a single prism from India, and you would never know it visually. The piece actually sits beautifully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. Priced in the inventory at $1,400. Ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.