Prehnite (casts after Anhydrite) (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"). This specimen consists of somewhat spherical aggregates of "water green" color Prehnite which have formed "casts" after preexisting Anhydrite. The underside of the specimen reveals a hollow cavity where the Anhydrite once existed, and is now lined with small Calcite crystals. 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.