Adularia ("Faden") with "Byssolite" (ex Brian Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

Alpine localities are well known for producing superb Adularia specimens, but there are a few "Alpine-type" localities in the Himalayas of Pakistan that produce some great specimens in their own right. Adularia is actually a variety of Orthoclase (typically), and is most commonly associated with metamorphic deposits such as those in the Alps. This specimen hosts several GEMMY, white/colorless, blocky, rather lustrous crystals of Adularia in a beautiful, sculptural "Faden" growth. "Faden" is the German word for string, and the term is most often applied to Epidote or Quartz specimens where the crystals have grown around and over a thin "string"-like mineral (typically some kind of Amphibole), creating a distinctive growth line through the specimen. A very showy "Faden" Adularia, and good quality to boot! For a final touch, there are some beautiful bluish-green color needles of "Byssolite" completely included inside the Adularia crystals. A great specimen of this contemporary classic material. Aside from Switzerland, Pakistan is the only locality that I can think of which produces these unusual Feldspars.