Stilbite with Apophyllite

Unknown Owner

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As the accompanying video clearly shows, this one mighty fine Stilbite with Apophyllite and could justifiably be called a whopper! Measuring 16.5 x 10.8 x 9.3 cm, this large cabinet specimen is verging on museum size and is a perfect display piece which will visually leap out from the finest of cabinets. Compared to the specimen's size, the matrix is relatively small and certainly unobtrusive, formed from the characteristic greenish grey basalt of the Deccan Traps. The Deccan Traps form one of the largest volcanic features on Earth. Formed as a shield volcano, the basalt is up to 2,000 m (6,560 ft) and originally covered an area of 500,000 km2 (200,000 square miles). That's a lot of basalt! The Stilbite forms magnificent, crystallised bow-tie sheaves to several centimetres wide, between which glassy Apophyllite nestles. A showy and highly aesthetic spacimen.