Hydrozincite (fluorescent)

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Perhaps one of the best and most distinctive Hydrozinctites I have seen from anywhere, this beauty is from China, where a few pockets have been found over the years. It looks a lot like aragonite, but the locations found are different, and they weigh and fluoresce differently as well. The snow-white, stalactitic 'fingers' range up to a significant 7.3 cm, and most are capped with a botryoidal, highly-lustrous termination hosting a sparkling layer of another mineral (perhaps calcite or gypsum). Ice on snow, if you will. For sheer size, and outstanding form, the aesthetics are superb. Add in an unusual, light-orange fluorescence, and you have a superb cabinet specimen of an unusual species.