Spinel, Norbergite, Graphite, Calcite w/ Muscovite, (Kidwell Coll.)

Item Description

A showy and rare combination from one of the Franklin Marble quarries of the famous Franklin Mining District, not the zinc ore deposits at Franklin and Sterling HIll. One side of the sculptural lustrous calcite matrix hosts numerous lustrous golden-yellow Muscovite plates. This side also hosts patches of yellow-brown Norbergite, a rare Mg-silicate with a halogen. Norbergite is a member of the Humite Group. Yellow Norbergite fluorescence. There is also some Spinel or Graphite on this side. The other side hosts scattered tiny lustrous black Spinel crystals, to 5 mm. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974. Classic and rare older combination material from the Franklin Marble.