Gypsum

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

An impressive, large cabinet, stellate gypsum crystal cluster from a very uncommon Maryland locale - St. Mary's County. The gypsum crystals are preferentially clay-included. The lustrous, large blades, to 6.8 cm, have transparent edges with clay-included interiors. The blades are attached to a large, intergrown ball of smaller gypsum crystals. This dramatic piece bears a strong resemblance to the famous golden gypsum bladed balls from the Red River Floodway of Manitoba, Canada, except for the color. This is a very rare, complete-all-around floater that is essentially pristine. An interesting Maryland rarity from the Robert Fender Collection and dates from the 1960s or 1970s, possibly much earlier. We have never seen a Maryland gypsum of any type before, come to think of it.