My wife just came home with these two mineral specimens which were both billed as "Natrolite". I am quite sure they are noy of the same makeup and am reasonably sure that are not Natrolite based on limited research. The colorless one is approximately 16cm tall and the brownish translucent one is approximately 19cm long. We both agree that the colorless one looks like some sort of "Sodium" but as usual I wouldn't be surprised if we were wrong. As always, any help is greatly appreciated!
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Many years of walking tradeshows, sourcing materials for production. Actually have large amounts of selenite mostly in peach color as the white is quite abundant. Made a pair of tusks for a large carved wooden African elephant head out of a pair of selenite rods about 10 inches long quite a awhile ago. Not real fun stuff to work, soft and splintery.
These are two of the most distinctive-looking classic types of specimens you could get. Usually photos aren't a good eay to ID a sample but these are slam dunks. Be warned that, while this fibrous form of gypsum is widely referred to as selenite, some more pedantic types will say it's actually satin spar and only glassy crystals of gypsum are selenite. The usage has shifted to the point that I don't think it's incorrect to call it selenite, just be aware that that may happen.
Many years of walking tradeshows, sourcing materials for production. Actually have large amounts of selenite mostly in peach color as the white is quite abundant. Made a pair of tusks for a large carved wooden African elephant head out of a pair of selenite rods about 10 inches long quite a awhile ago. Not real fun stuff to work, soft and splintery.
I noticed the splintery property in just handling it. We mis remembered our initial ID. She thought it was the same as a long "rod" as you called them that she already had but just remembered the first letter lol. Thanks again!!
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