SM21-166
Anhydrite (old classic)
Naica Mine, Naica, Saucillo Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico
Large Cabinet, 17.8 x 6.3 x 4.3 cm
Ex. Dr. Frederick Pough
$2,000.00 Payment Plan Available
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This is an exceptional and stately Anhydrite piece from finds at Naica over 30 years ago in the early 1980s and was once part of Fred Pough's collection. The large, commanding crystal measures a full seven inches in length and two inches across. The big, baby-blue Anhydrite crystal has a silky luster as a result of all of the lengthwise striations that fan out slightly from the bottom to the top of the piece. There is also a sidecar cluster of variably complete crystals on one side that give the piece depth and add to the aesthetics. The periphery of the piece is accented by hundreds of sparkly, little Anhydrite crystals. The back of the piece is coated in granular and microcrystalline Anhydrite and there are small patches of grayish clay locally. Although once fairly plentiful when originally recovered in the mid-1980s they are sparse on the market today and this Anhydrite specimen is considered large for the locality. In terms of quality, it ranks highly against finds both then and now. The light dusty-blue color and silky luster are especially attractive and the piece ranks high in terms of size and quality for the finds here. This piece comes with Fred Pough's label. This is a true blast from the past, as it is from the collection of the legendary collector, and former American Museum curator, Fred Pough (for more on this amazing man, see: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/14/books/frederick-h-pough-writer-of-gem-guide-dies-at-99.html). Fred had a terrific suite of Mexican minerals. This specimen retains his label. He sold his collection , the majority of it, by the late 1980s.