Fluorapophyllite with Stilbite

Item Description

This item is part of a special benefit auction for the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals (ricenorthwestmuseum.org). Items are either deaccessions from the museum's collection or were donated by generous supporters listed below.

Auction open April 1, 2021 through April 17, 2021.

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, April 19, for payment using PayPal or credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost, or please contact brandy@mineralauctions.com if you'd like to plan on picking up items at future shows or during a stop through Dallas.

An aesthetic and classic cluster of gemmy, green Fluorapophyllite crystals accented by white Stilbite from the famous, and now-closed, Pashan Quarry at Poona as the old labels had it (now, Pune). These were old rock quarries, now paved over by the expansion of Mumbai. This particular style amazed us back in the 1980s, and I grew up dreaming to own one of these mint green sparkly clusters, with the contrasting snow white stilbite blades. At the time, they were considered best of species and priced like gold. To this day, despite thousands more coming out, this old style remains immediately distinctive and unique to my eye. This is a dramatic, excellent example from the old finds. Glassy crystals just glow with that distinctive mint green color from the finds at this locale in the 1980s. For added aesthetics and contrast, bright, pearly white blades of Stilbite grace the Fluorapophyllite crystals in just the right places.