Okenite cast with Apophyllite

Item Description

A marvelous, sculptural cluster of intergrown, very soft to the touch "snow balls" of okenite needles is nicely accented on one end with a cluster of glassy, translucent, apophyllite crystals. The large tetragonal doubly terminated apophyllite is 1.9 cm long. The okenite balls have casted long dissolved away crystal prisms, probably laumontite. This is an outstanding and rare style casted combination from the famed Malad Quarry, near Mumbai (Bombay). The soaring population of Mumbai closed the quarry and this fine piece dates from the 1970s or 80s. Ex Rock Currier Collection No. 3834. Specimens of okenite beyond small loose balls in old plastic boxes, are almost impossible to find for sale today. This is a fine one, from the collection of the man who brought so many out, in the day. It can be (carefully) handled, although it is soft and delicate - also a reason why so few were recovered and remain today. This is a classic of the 1900s mineral collecting, of the opening of India, and despite TENS of thousands of further specimens coming out, we have had no more okenite of quality in over 25 years!