Calcite on Stilbite, with Nontranite

Item Description

A very hard-to-find, excellent quality, small cabinet piece from one of the quarries in the Kings Valley area of Oregon, not too far from Corvallis. Prominent is a totally gemmy cluster set of interpenetrating golden Calcites, not unlike the great Calcites that have come out of India in recent years. The largest Calcite rhomb is about 2 cm (measured along the contacted back), and the silky luster on many of the faces adds beauty and depth. Much of the matrix is coated by a rich layer of gemmy and lustrous, 2 mm, pink Stilbites. There is even a trace amount of green Nontronite, extremely rare for this area. The aesthetics of this small cab are excellent, and it is much better in person. #827 in Kay's collection, this was acquired over a half-century ago.