Prehnite (cast after Anhydrite)

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"). This specimen consists of translucent, spherical aggregates and "finger"-shaped groups of "water green" color Prehnite forming casts after Anhydrite which are dusted with minor white Laumontite. There are some superb bladed casts in the center of this specimen showing that the Anhydrite that was once here not only formed in thick blocky crystals, but narrow tabular crystals as well. The casts are very disticnt, and truly one of the most beautiful occurences in the mineral world. These pieces are no longer being quarried and will remain as some of the most significant Prehnites of any kind from any locality world wide. A great Trap Rock display specimen from this significant New Jersey locality.