Description & Provenance

Although salt is a common resource, it rarely crystallizes in substantial sizes, and even less often does it develop in collectible forms. Halite crystals are an exceptionally large, macrocrystalline form of salt that materialized in areas that once held salt lakes and seas that existed millions of years ago that have since evaporated. Not only is halite incredibly collectible in the mineral collecting community for its relatable base of salt, but it is prone to the spectacular quality of fluorescence.

This example, composed of both halite and selenite is from Thuringia, Germany. Thuringia is the only locality in the world known to produce halite crystals with selenite as a secondary mineral. It was among the top ten largest halite specimens to be recovered from a rare find of halite crystals from Sollstedt Potash Works (formerly, Karl Marx Potash Works) which was actively mined for potash from 1902 to 1991. Halite from Thuringia tends to be cubic with smooth crystal faces, and the associated selenite ranges in color from honey-yellow to sienna brown. This is an exceptional specimen that delivers on both form and contrast, displaying the best traits of region. It is an amalgamation of well-formed halite that is accented by several elongated selenite crystals. These yellow-orange selenite crystals radiate from the central mass and add depth, dimension and color for a bursting, explosive effect. The geometry, form and composition of the halite crystals, paired with the selenite creates fantastic impact. When lit with short wave ultraviolet light, this specimen fluoresces a brilliant, orange-red color that is simply electric (see alternate photo).

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