Microcline

Unknown Owner

A very attractive large cabinet piece with bluish green blocky crystals of microcline, this is the variety known as amazonite, measuring to 4.0 cm in size covering a granite matrix. This has no repairs or restorations. I think in excellent condition. What makes this one especially neat in my opinion is that this was collected in the very early 20th century. The specimen was originally acquired in 1912 from Colorado Springs dealer Lazard Cahn. A real American classic, this is significant for both its beauty and its history.Teller County, Colorado, is world-famous for its exceptional amazonite and smoky quartz specimens, which are primarily found within the Pikes Peak Batholith. Geologically, this area consists of a massive, 1.08 billion-year-old Precambrian granite intrusion that features specialized miarolitic cavities and complex pegmatites. These "pockets" formed as late-stage, volatile-rich fluids cooled, allowing for the growth of large, well-formed crystals. The amazonite is a green to blue-green variety of microcline feldspar, with its distinct color resulting from trace amounts of lead and structural water within the crystal lattice. Historically, collecting in regions like Crystal Peak and Florissant began in the late 19th century, drawing prospectors and later hobbyists to the rugged mountain terrain. The most sought-after pieces from Teller County feature sharp, blocky amazonite crystals in aesthetic association with dark, lustrous smoky quartz, often occurring in open vugs within the weathered granite. Today, the area remains a premier destination for field collectors and professional miners who continue to uncover some of the finest examples of this mineral pairing in the world.Lazard Cahn was one of the most influential American mineral dealers and crystallographers of the early 20th century, basing much of his significant work in Colorado Springs. Born in 1865, Cahn was renowned for his extraordinary eye for quality and his deep scientific understanding of crystal morphology. He acted as a vital bridge between the rugged world of field prospecting and the refined halls of academia and major museums. Cahn is perhaps best known for his meticulous study of micromounts and his role in providing elite specimens to legendary collectors like Washington Roebling and institutions such as the Smithsonian. His expertise was so highly regarded that the rare calcium borate arsenate mineral "cahnite" was named in his honor in 1927. Throughout the first half of the 1900s, Cahn maintained a sophisticated business that elevated the status of mineral collecting from a mere hobby to a disciplined scientific pursuit. His legacy in Colorado is cemented by his contributions to the mineralogical record of the Pikes Peak region, where he helped document and distribute the very best of the local amazonite and zinnwaldite occurrences.