Quartz (on a Quartz cast after Anhydrite) (ex Rich Konsar Collection)

Item Description

The quarry at Upper New Street dates back over 100 years ago (it opened in 1893). During the mid 1980's to early 1990's, there was a lot of collecting that took place between the Upper New Street and Lower Street Quarries in an area that is affectionately referred to by some as "Middle New Street". The majority of the specimens from this area are still labeled as being found at Upper New Street even though they were not found in the quarry itself. Nonetheless, this is one of the most famous Trap Rock quarries in New Jersey and is probably most famous for its amazing and unique casts (epimorphs). This specimen consists of gemmy, white, lustrous crystals of Quartz which are sitting on Quartz forming a blocky, striated, well-defined cast (properly called a perimorph) after Anhydrite. The cast is very distinct, with notable sharp form that was retained from the preexisting Anhydrite. It is truly one of the most beautiful occurences in the mineral world. These pieces are no longer coming out of the ground and will remain as some of the most significant Prehnites of any kind from any locality world wide. A great Trap Rock display specimen from this significant New Jersey locality.