PREHNITE on QUARTZ

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

This fine cabinet-sized Prehnite specimen is really rather different. It is from Taza Cercle in Taza Province, Fès-Meknès Region, Morocco, a little-known locality that is only recorded as having produced one mineral species - Prehnite. Even so, the crystal form and colour are, dare I say unique, and therefore instantly recognizable. Prehnite was first recorded from Taza Cercle in the early 2000s, but for whatever reason just a very small number of good specimens have filtered through to the mineral market over the past two decades. This one, from Nick Hawes' fine suite of Moroccan minerals, is certainly the most spectacular that I have seen, consisting of large (5.2 cm diameter) spherical aggregates of pale peppermint green Prehnite made up of somewhat aligned blocky, but bladed crystals, individually to 8 mm in length. These rounded aggregates coalesce upon a partial layer of white Quartz on basalt. There is some minor bruising in one small area, but not on the main spherical mass. A very unusual and interesting Prehnite.