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Identity HelpWhite Pigment Limestone Quarry or Meshberger Stone Company Quarry

11th Apr 2017 02:16 UTCEdward Bayley

This calcite specimen is a recent acquisition. Dims are 10 x 12 x 6 cm (4" x 4.7" x 2.4"). It is labeled White Pigment Quarry, York, Pennsylvania. I have not seen many of these, but what struck me about the specimen is it's uncanny resemblance to calcites from the Meshberger quarry. All the crystal habit expressions of Meshberger show up in this piece. The competing scalenohedron and hexagonal di-pyramidal forms are present. I will post a few up-close photos as well. A bit of matrix reacts vigorously to acid and is entirely consumed, leaving no visible solids behind.

So I call upon others who are familiar the quarries to weigh in on the likelihood that this is really a White Pigment specimen.

Ed

11th Apr 2017 02:26 UTCEdward Bayley

Additional photos of the specimen.

11th Apr 2017 02:27 UTCEdward Bayley

A few more.

11th Apr 2017 03:36 UTCBob Harman

I know nothing about the White Pigment Quarry in York, Pa, but admittedly it does look like Meshberger Quarry calcites. Nothing has come from that Indiana quarry since at least 1980 and maybe several years before that, so knowing when the example was originally collected might help. Also, calcites from Midwest sedimentary environments might be similar from differing localities???? Guess I am not much help. CHEERS.....BOB

11th Apr 2017 14:37 UTCEdward Bayley

When it came out is unknown. However if it were really from the White Pigment Quarry it would have been pre-1970s. The pit it would have come from has been flooded since then.

11th Apr 2017 16:28 UTCMark Heintzelman 🌟 Expert

Yes that specimen is from the White Pigment Quarry, West York, York Co., PA The material from this quarry did vary some from what one often considers or expect from a "York Calcite', you may even notice some minor associated pyrite, unlike anything from Delta Carbonate, Thomasville or Roosevelt operations. Here is a sample from my reference files, the very same specimen you have! Ron Slotto had a few similar ones as well, but none as nice as that one! This was not a great "Specimen Producing" quarry. I already have at least 80 or so Calcite specimens from Pennsylvania alone, including examples from the many lesser producing quarries in Lancaster Co., but not one from here, so it's fair to consider it a "rare in collection" piece.

Calcite - White Pigment Quarry, West York, York Co., PA 10 x 12 x 6 cm

11th Apr 2017 19:28 UTCEdward Bayley

Thanks! That makes you the second PA collector to confirm it's original labeling. Hopefully I'll get to see some of the other material to compare. There is a dusting of sulfide mineral here and there. I'll put it under a scope and see if I can get some pictures up. I will keep it's original labeling. Historically, this will serve as living proof of the "Meshberger habit" occurring in PA.

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