Witherite with Alstonite

$7,500.00

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The ArkenstoneFeatured

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A highly significant example of one of the rarest of the Illinois fluorite deposit mineral species, witherite, because of its large size and gorgeous flowery display style. Few large specimens were ever found to begin with, and in any case they were heavy and white compared to fluorites, more difficult to carry out of the mine and to sell; and so probably many were casualties of miners making the choice about what to carry out when found. Here we have a very rich, solid specimen of off-white-colored witherite, hosting a small circular outgrowth in the middle, of elongated witherite crystals coming out at you (not so obvious in the photo). White sparkles within are tiny but sharp crystals of the rarer-yet species alstonite, not well known from this district. Provenance is wonderful as this went from Mike Bergmann (Galena Rock Shop) to George Feist. George was the leading overall midwest collector for diversity and breadth, some would say, and certainly one of the top collections overall for the midwest, including Illinois. His suite was display worthy and comprehensive. It looks like this then went to Ross Lillie from George, when he sold, and from Ross (North Star Minerals) to Bill Severance. While Bill was more known for his Tsumeb and Michigan suites, he had a significant single display case of Illinois material as well; from which we obtained this in his estate.