Prehnite (finger "casts" after Anhydrite) (2010 find)

Item Description

During the latter half of 2010, one of the most significant Prehnite discoveries in history was made at the famous Prospect Park Quarry in New Jersey. Some impressive and attractive Prehnite "finger"-shaped "casts" were found. The best specimens have incredibly good luster, form, color and size, and are certainly among the best found. These "casts" are well known from New Jersey, as they are some of the most distinctive Prehnites in the world. The specimens formed as the Prehnite covered preexisting crystals of Anhydrite, which eventually was dissolved away, leaving the hollow Prehnite "casts", which formed in attractive "fingers". This piece is a lovely small cabinet sized display specimen featuring an attractive "fingers" of Prehnite flaring out a group of Prehnites "casts" on matrix. The finger is translucent when backlit. The color is a bit more green depending upon the light in which it is viewed. Under halogen lighting, it shows a lighter hue, but under fluorescent lighting, the green color is stronger. A cool and eye-catching specimen from this historic discovery at the Prospect Park Quarry. It must be noted that this locality will soon be defunct, and will sadly no longer produce specimens like these.