Prehnite with Graphite

Item Description

For decades, mining activity in the Merelani Hills in Tanzania has produced a good number of superb crystals and gems of Tanzanite, and although the area may be synonymous with Tanzanite, there are many other interesting and fine quality minerals found there. I think most collectors are familiar with the attractive Prehnites that come from Merelani, and the best pieces are some of the most attractive Prehnites from any world locality. This piece features beautiful, sharp, distinct, lustrous, translucent, medium yellow-green colored crystals of Prehnite which are associated with grey-black Graphite. The Prehnites have formed in somewhat bladed, semi-"clamshell"-shaped crystals, the largest measuring up to 1.1 cm across. You don't see crystals of Prehnite like this from many world localities, but the fact that these crystals are so gemmy and colorful makes them all the more desirable. This recent find (2019) of has really made an impression on me because they are some of the finest quality crystallized Prehnites that I have encountered in a long time.