Stilbite with Quartz after Anhydrite (ex Rich Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

The quarry at Upper New Street is over 100 years old (it opened in 1893). During the mid 1980's to early 1990's, there was a lot of collecting that took place between the Upper New Street and Lower Street Quarries in an area that is affectionately referred to by some as "Middle New Street". The majority of the specimens from this area are still labeled as being found at Upper New Street even though they were not found in the quarry itself. Nonetheless, this is one of the most famous Trap Rock quarries in New Jersey and is probably most famous for its amazing and unique Prehnite casts after Anhydrite (sometimes called "fingers" or "snakeheads"). Stilbite is one of the better known Zeolites from from New Street, and this is a very attractive hand sized cabinet specimen from this locality. It features dozens of beautiful, pinkish colored, slightly pearly, blades of Stilbite associated with prismatic "casts" of Quartz replacing prismatic crystals of Anhydrite. Additionally one can see dozens of small colorless crystals of "stubby" Quartz on matrix on the reverse side. A great Trap Rock display specimen from this significant New Jersey locality. From the collection of Richard Kosnar, and originally from the collection of Ken McKim by way of Eric Stanchich.