Analcime - O & G Woodbury Quarry, Woodbury, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, USA

The rich association of analcime and natrolite, with the reddish staining, on fractures in slightly altered diabase (with visible grains) is classic Cheshire Trap Rock Quarry. Please see specimen photos there for comparison. [www.mindat.org]

Very unlikely this nice specimen is from Woodbury as both minerals are fairly uncommon in Conn. and even more so together, except at Cheshire, where they are abundant.

Dear Whom-it-may-concern;

Harold is correct; that's not a from O & G. Having collected at Cheshire, over 30 yrs. ago, I have a specimen almost exactly like that one.

BTW, Harold et al, the sprays of natrolite needles associated with gemmy small balls of prehnite were the standard specimen from there.

Your friend, Steve

Message sent

Hello:

I got the piece from John Betts. It is ex. Peter Nalle collection and was acquired by him in 1989.

I will contact John next week to see what he says about it. (I would do it now but have to leave here in 5 minutes).

Henry Minot

There are two specimens on John Betts' on-line mineral museum: [www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
One is the specimen in question, I have the other. If you look at the matrix, you will see distinct mineral grains. This is typical of Cheshire, which is the West Rock Diabase. The basalt at Woodbury is typically very fine-grained or aphanitic (cant see grains). I know what the labels say, but having been to both places several times I am 100% certain they are both really from the Cheshire locality. The mineral assemblage, their habits, the staining, the rock matrix - all say Cheshire. The place was famous for these. Not surprising, the affinity of trap rock specimens get mixed up all the time....

OK, I am convinced.

I have changed the location to the Cheshire Traprock Quarrry.

Henry Minot

Cool. I will photograph mine and get it up on mindat, too. I happened to drive by the quarry today but did not go in.
Nice that you have that specimen, it is scarce now and they are the best of those minerals from anywhere in Conn.