Prehnite (finger "casts") (2010 find)

Item Description

In the late summer of 2010, there was a very important and significant discovery of fine quality Prehnite specimens at the famous Prospect Park Quarry in New Jersey. This locality is famous for its fine quality Prehnites, specifically those that have formed "casts" after preexisting minerals. The 2010 discovery produced some very impressive "finger"-shaped "casts". Now we are using the term "casts" to describe these pieces, as they were referred to as epimorphs for years, but recent debate suggest that they should be called perimorphs instead. With that said, these specimens were quite impressive from the standpoint of size, color, luster and overall aesthetics. They are some of the most impressive examples of the material found in decades. The "fingers" themselves were formed after Prehnite covered preexisting, thin prismatic crystals of Anhydrite, which later dissolved away, and created hollow Prehnite "finger"-shaped "casts". Here we have a wonderful small cabinet display specimen several lustrous, bright yellow-green color "fingers" of Prehnite - the largest measuring 3.6 cm long. If you view the piece from the underside, you can clearly see the hollow "casts". Overall, the piece is in great condition, with only damage being around the periphery where it was removed from the pocket wall. A very attractive and good quality three-dimensional piece from what was the final great discovery at this well-known quarry. We will never see this material again, as Prospect Park is now defunct.