Strontianite (ex Al Kidwell Collection)

Item Description

A classic example of the famous and uncommon Strontianites from Southern Illinois. No specific mine was given on the label (only Hardin County), but it's likely from the Minerva No. 1 Mine. With that said, this is a beautiful group of almost "jackstraw"-esque prismatic crystals which range in color from nearly white to more of a smoky hue, measuring up to approximately 2.8 cm long sitting with very minor matrix. There is some roughness here and there, but many of the crystals are terminated and in good condition. All of the mining in this area is completely finished, and these once abundant specimens are now fast-disappearing from the market, so don't miss out. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert (Al) 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. The label accompanying this specimen states that it was obtained in 1977.