Tremolite and Dravite Mineral Specimens from West Pierrepont, New York

(also known as the Selleck Road location)

Most of these tremolite mineral specimens are translucent, green in color and associated with white quartz of poor form. The color contrasts are nice and the tremolite's form is good.  The crystals are almost always double terminated and form interesting clusters.  The majority of this material was self collected back in the early 1990's.  These pieces are very good quality for this location. 

Some of our labels might be labeled actinolite.  Chemical workups have shown this material to be tremolite.  Older publications listed this species as actinolite.

Phlogopite   During the spring of 2010 a weathered seam was discovered at the Selleck Road occurrence, West Pierrepont, New York.  Besides the minerals typically found at the site: tremolite, uvite, quartz, and feldspar pseudomorphs, an unusual discovery was made.  Oddly shaped mica crystals to 4 cm in diameter were found loose in the opening and embedded in the massive calcite that comprised the unweathered portions of the seam.

The species was phlogopite and the crystals presented themselves as well developed individuals and groups, both on and off matrices of tremolite, quartz and feldspar.  They are a reddish brown color and often quite translucent when viewed perpendicular to the “c” axis.  The most unusual characteristic is their form which very much resembled the shape of a “Mercedes Benz” emblem when viewed down the “c” axis of the crystal.  Investigation has shown these unusual crystals not to be a form of growth deformation, rather a rare form of twinning.  So unique were these specimens that they made the Mineralogical Record “What’s New”.  They appear to be the only macroscopic examples of this type of twinning ever found.  Informational Article. 

Both the crystals and matrices are quite unstable so the majority of the specimens require elaborate cleaning methods and stabilization.  Curatorial preparation included a light coating of the B-72 acriloid.  The process is reversible, stable up to 300 years, and did not change the luster or overall appearance of any of the species with the exception of the gray quartz seen on some matrix specimens.  The quartz often looks a bit glassier.

I put these few nice thumbnail sized specimens away for a web update and it is now time for that posting.  To follow are 12 of the best specimens for form, condition and size.  There are no better.  I do have some miniature to cabinet sized specimens that have mica twins but the “triplet” form is not complete on most.  Contact me if a larger specimen is required. 

OKH-887

OKH-887    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  I think this twin is the finest of the entire grouping.  It measures 2.9 x 1.5 x 1.6 cm and shows triplet reversal on the back of the piece.  It is a floater grouping views beautifully from the front.  The back shows minor cleaving but on one of the branches.  This is simply an amazing mica crystal, easily as nice as the majority of those I added to my collection.  Very high luster because it was etched from calcite matrix.  This is the finest example that will be offered for sale and it is at a fraction of the cost of any normal high end thumbnail specimen.  $175

 

 

 

 

OKH-889

OKH-888   Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.   this one is a nice matrix specimen on quartz and feldspar  It measures 2.1 x 2 x 1.9 cm overall.  It sits nicely and displays well.  Only the two top branches are evident.  $50

 

 

 

 

OKH-889

OKH-889    Phologopite Twin     RESERVED     Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This is the most perfect of the entire grouping.  It measures 1.6 x 1.6 x 1.3 cm and shows triplet reversal on the backside of the piece.  It is a floater grouping and views beautifully from the front and back both.  This is simply an amazing mica crystal, easily as nice as the majority of those I added to my collection.  Very high luster, found naturally etched from the calcite.  Zero Damage.  This is simply crystallographic perfection will and it is at a fraction of the cost of any normal high end thumbnail specimen.  Amazing piece!  $190

 

 

 

 

OKH-890

OKH-890    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This is another perfect crystal.  It measures 1.6 x 1.6 x 1.5 cm and shows triplet reversal on the backside of the piece.  It is a floater grouping and views beautifully from the front and back both.  This is simply an amazing mica crystal, easily as nice as the majority of those I added to my collection.  Very high luster, etched from calcite.  Zero damage.  This is simply crystallographic perfection will and it is at a fraction of the cost of any normal high end thumbnail specimen.  $150

 

 

 

 

OKH-891

OKH-891    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This is the only specimen on a matrix of tremolite, the mineral for which the site is so famous.  It measures 2.5 x 2.4 x 4 cm and has phlogopite sitting up high on the matrix.  It measures 1.2 cm and the entire specimen is damage free.  It is a floater grouping and views beautifully from all directions.  Very high luster, etched from calcite.  Zero damage.  A fantastic example.  $170

 

 

 

 

OKH-892

OKH-892    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This specimen is single terminated and somewhat larger measuring in at 2.8 x 2.6 x 2.3.  Nice luster and form.  $100

 

 

 

 

OKH-893

OKH-893    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This is a wonderful example which views exceptionally well from the front.  The luster is high and the form is nothing short of perfection.  .  No damage, etched from the calcite.  2.2 x 1.7 x .7 cm.  Very nice!  $70

 

 

 

 

OKH-894

OKH-894    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This is as perfect a crystal as any offered in this grouping, only smaller.  It measures 1.3 x 1.2 x 1 cm and shows triplet reversal on the backside of the piece.  It is a floater grouping and views beautifully from the front and back both.  This is simply an amazing mica crystal, easily as nice as the majority of those I added to my collection.  Very high luster,  etched from the calcite.  Zero Damage.  This is simply crystallographic perfection will and it is at a fraction of the cost of any normal high end thumbnail specimen.  $75

 

 

 

 

OKH-895

OKH-895    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This is the most perfect of the entire grouping.  It measures 2.5 x 2.4 x 2.3 cm and shows triplet reversal on the backside of the piece.  It is a floater grouping and views beautifully from the front and so-so from the back.  High luster, found naturally etched from the calcite. A fine example with tiny bits of quartz and feldspar in places  $130

 

 

 

 

OKH-896

OKH-896    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  A large single terminated crystal measuring 3.2 x 3 x 1.5 cm. It is a good piece with a nice frontal view and back view showing no triplet development.  Found naturally etched from calcite seam, loose.  $70

 

 

 

 

OKH-897

OKH-897    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This one measures 2 x 2 x 1.5 cm and shows triplet reversal on the backside of the piece.  It is a floater grouping and views beautifully from the front and fairly nicely from the back.  High luster, found naturally etched from the calcite.  In nice condition and shows well.  $95

 

 

 

 

OKH-898

OKH-898    Phologopite Twin    Selleck Road Occurrence, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York.  Collected by Michael Walter, Spring 2010.  This is another perfect crystal.  It measures 2 x 1.5 x 1.2 cm and shows triplet reversal on the backside of the piece.  It is a floater grouping and views beautifully from the front and back both with the backside’s triplet development not being as obvious.  This is simply an amazing mica crystal, easily as nice as the majority of those I added to my collection.  Very high luster, etched from the calcite.  Zero Damage.  This is simply crystallographic perfection will and it is at a fraction of the cost of any normal high end thumbnail specimen.  Really nice example.  $120

 

 

 

 

 

	OKB-299 Front and Closeup

OKB-299     Tremolite     West Pierrepont, New York. This 13 x 7 x 5 cm matrix plate has crystals to 2.5 cm each and minor quartz on back for contrast. Most crystals are double terminated. Both sides have good crystals. 22$

 

 

 

 

 

	OKB-300 Front and Back

OKB-300    Tremolite     West Pierrepont, New York. This 6 x 4 x 2 cm cluster has crystals to 3.5 cm each. Most crystals are double terminated. Excellent form to the majority of the crystals. 18$

 

 

 

 

 

	OKB-301 Front and Side

OKB-301     Tremolite     West Pierrepont, New York. This 5.5 x 3 x 3 cm cluster has a large crystal (5.5 cm), plenty of quartz and a small stack of tremolite on top. Attractive. 8$

 

 

 

 

	OKB-302 Front and Back

OKB-302      Tremolite     West Pierrepont, New York. This 5 x 5.5 x 4 cm cluster has crystals to 2 cm each and plenty of quartz for contrast. Most crystals are double terminated. Most crystals are very nice. 20$

 

 

 

 

 

	OKB-303 Front and Closeup

OKB-303         Tremolite      West Pierrepont, New York. This 3.5 x 3.5 x 2 cm cluster has exceptional crystals which are thin and well formed. The photo says it all. 28$

 

 

 

 

 

	OKB-304 Front and Back

OKB-304      Tremolite      West Pierrepont, New York. This 4.5 x 4 x 3 cm cluster has crystals to 2 cm each and minor quartz for contrast. Most crystals are double terminated and excellent in form. Piece views equally well from both sides. 18$

 

 

 

 

OKB-305

OKB-305 Dravite West Pierrepont, New York. 1 x .6 cm crystal of opaque brown tourmaline. Rare to find well formed crystals such as this one from this location. Single terminated. 16$

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