Gypsum

15.9 x 13.0 x 12.8 cm. An impressive, large cabinet, stellate gypsum crystal cluster from a very uncommon Maryland locale - St. Mary's County. The gypsum crystals are preferentially clay-included. The lustrous, large blades, to 6.8 cm, have transparent edges with clay-included interiors. The blades are attached to a large, intergrown ball of smaller gypsum crystals. This dramatic piece bears a strong resemblance to the famous golden gypsum bladed balls from the Red River Floodway of Manitoba, Canada, except for the color. This is a very rare, complete-all-around floater that is essentially pristine. An interesting Maryland rarity from the Robert Fender Collection and dates from the 1960s or 1970s, possibly much earlier. We have never seen a Maryland gypsum of any type before, come to think of it.

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Photo added: 27th Jan 2010