Rutile (twinned crystals) on Limonite pseudomorphs after Siderite

Item Description

A classic specimen of these well-known Rutile specimens from Boiling Springs, North Carolina. This piece has the distinction of being found at a private location near Gardner-Webb University, presumably one of the VERY few from this locality. The piece hosts beautiful, highly lustrous, thin prismatic crystals of red Rutile which have formed in the "Sagenite" habit, i.e., reticulated twins, where the crystals always intersect at 60° and 120° respectively sitting atop rusty colored pseudomorphs of Limonite replacing Siderite. Minor Muscovite can be seen on the back of the piece. The largest Rutile crystal measures 1.3 cm, and they look beautiful up close. A really cool locality specimen for any fan of these iconic Rutiles.
From the collection of John Whatley, a well-known Georgia collector (1939-2022). John had many interests and hobbies, and favorite hobby was collecting rocks and minerals. He was a member of the Augusta and Aiken, SC Gem and Mineral Society. He also enjoyed collecting arrowheads and he co-authored the book, An Overview of Georgia Projectile Points and Select Cutting Tools. He was a member of the Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama Archaeology Societies and he also enjoyed volunteering in the Archaeology Department at SRS.
You can read more about John at: https://www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries/john-whatley