Aaron Wiltsey's Photo Gallery
7N9-A27Stilbite Subgroup M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72]·nH2O , Apophyllite Group AB4[Si8O22]X · 8H2O , Quartz SiO2
Wind Creek Quarry, Buell, Polk County, Oregon, USADimensions: 15 inches x 10 inches x 10 inches
Clusters of clear pyramid-tipped apophyllite and sharp spear-teeth of quartz growing on peach-colored stilbite sheaves decorate the interior of this small cavity. I managed to save 90% of it by prying loose the 15"x10"x10" chunk of basalt it formed in.
8G4-H6LNatrolite Na2Al2Si3O10·2H2O
Wren, Benton County, Oregon, USANatural pocket of acicular natrolite growing in pillow basalt at the Wren quarry in Benton County, Oregon, USA. Pocket is approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm) across. My apologies for the dirt and rock crumbs, but I was clinging to a crumbly rock wall 20 feet up with an expensive digicam in hand. ;) Photo courtesy of Aaron Wiltsey.
View of the quarry from the end of the road
Trashed Quarry, Price Creek area, Kings Valley, Benton County, Oregon, USAPhoto by A. Wiltsey, 1/2006
Wren quarry as seen from above, right wall.
Wren, Benton County, Oregon, USAView of the Wren quarry from above, right side at rear of the quarry. Main entrance road is at the top left. Private property, actively being quarried(obviously). Always wear boots and a hard hat in a quarry such as this.
Quarry at Wren, Oregon as seen from above.
Wren, Benton County, Oregon, USAOverview of the large quarry at Wren, Oregon, USA. Great locality for collecting natrolite, calcite crystals and many other types of zeolites and minerals. Quarry is on private property, collecting is not openly encouraged. Always wear a hard hat and boots in a quarry such as this one.
Main osumilite collecting site at base of scree slope.
Obsidian Cliffs, North Sister Mountain, McKenzie Pass, Lane County, Oregon, USARare Osumilite locality in Oregon, USA. One of a dozen or so known localities in the world. Taken by Aaron Wiltsey on 8/17/05. Osumilite crystals are found in scoria boulders at the base of the scree slope. This is a designated wilderness area with limited access to hikers, so collecting is not legal here.