Staurolite (superb classic "cross" twins) James Carter Coll.

Item Description

A superb two-sided specimen of classic large penetration-twinned "X" or "cross" doubly terminated staurolite crystals aesthetically set on the sparkly muscovite schist from this well-known locale. The impressive large and pristine crystal on one side is 8.4 cm long, large for the locale. The crystals also come in cruciform twins. Both "Xs" are in great shape overall, with only a bit of tip contacting noted on both sides. Ex Dr. James Carter Collection. James was a professor of Geology and former Department Chairman at the University of Texas at Dallas for 43 years until he retired in 2008. A true geoscientist, he studied and performed research on a remarkable variety of geological aspects. NASA asked Carter to help create a material that was similar to actual lunar regolith. The lunar regolith simulant, or fake moon dirt, he developed was used by NASA and other researchers for studies in support of future human activities on the moon. This is an exceptional example of the species and locale with large crystals.