Variscite (classic material) (ex Henry de Linde Collection)

Item Description

Arguably the most famous phosphate from Arkansas is Wavellite, but Variscite is what I would call a close second. While the material from Utah is typically more popular on the market, I would make the argument that the Arkansas material doesn't get its due. Most of the Utah Variscites are massive / uncrystallized, and while the color is similar, the Arkansas is micro-crystallized / crystalline, so it's a bit more "refined" in terms of quality. This piece features beautiful green sparkling, drusy, crystalline Variscite in a vug of underlying host rock matrix. A beautiful example of this classic and eye-catching material. From the collection of Henry de Linde (March 21, 1923 – April 4, 2019) of Hot Spring, Arkansas. Henry was one of the most prominent figures in the history of Arkansas mining and mineral collecting. Along with being a miner, mineral collector and an amateur mineralogist, de Linde was one of the founders of the Coon Creek Association mineral club. He was the owner of several key localities in Arkansas including the Diamond Jo Quarry (on the south rim of Magnet Cove), the type locality for Delindeite, which was named in his honor in 1987.