Natrolite on Prehnite (ex Brian Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

The quarry at Upper New Street is over 100 years old (it opened in 1893). During the mid 1980's to early 1990's, there was a lot of collecting that took place between the Upper New Street and Lower Street Quarries in an area that is affectionately referred to by some as "Middle New Street". The majority of the specimens from this area are still labeled as being found at Upper New Street even though they were not found in the quarry itself. Nonetheless, this is one of the most famous Trap Rock quarries in New Jersey and is probably most famous for its amazing and unique Prehnite casts after Anhydrite (sometimes called "fingers" or "snakeheads"). Natrolite is one of the less common species found at UNS, and good quality specimens are even less common. This particular specimen consists of a beautiful, large 3.8 cm, "snowball"-like aggregate comprising thin micro fibers of Natrolite associated with soft green color spherical Prehnite and micro whitish Calcite on basalt. The Natrolite is not complete on the back, but it is still a good sized "ball", and for all intents and purposes is a relatively rare Zeolite species. A hard to find and worthwhile full cabinet sized Trap Rock display specimen from this significant New Jersey locality.