Prehnite overgrowing Epidote

Item Description

The Kayes Region is western Mali has been the source of some really impressive Prehnite and Epidote specimens since the early 2000s. The specimens from the Djouga diggings are some of the signature examples of this now classic material. A lot of the pieces you'll see from this locality feature single "balls" or clusters of spherical Prehnite on Epidote, but this one notably different as it features velvety, translucent green Prehnite that is almost completely enveloping Epidote crystals, instead of simply on top. At first, I figured these must be "casts" of Prehnite after Anhydrite, but when I saw complete Epidote crystals on the reverse side of the piece, I immediately realize this specimen was unusual. The largest Prehnite aggregate measures 5.2 cm long. The back of the piece show the preexisting dark brown Epidote crystals along with a chalky white mineral (possibly Kaolinite?). The front is in fine condition as you can see from the photos, but it is understandably contacted on the back where it was removed from the pocket. A showy, three-dimensional and eye-catchingly unique example of these well-known specimens from Mali.