Babingtonite
specimen number:
2351023
location:
Hampden Quarry, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, USA
description: Hampden Quarry, located in West Springfield within Hampden County, Massachusetts, is a historic trap rock quarry excavated into Mesozoic basalt flows of the Hartford Basin. Formed during continental rifting, the volcanic and associated sedimentary rocks contain hydrothermal cavities and veins that filled with secondary minerals over time. Historically operated as a commercial stone quarry for construction material, it became famous among mineral collectors for yielding exceptionally fine specimens of datolite, prehnite, and jet-black babingtonite crystals, the latter of which holds status as the official state mineral of Massachusetts.
Lustrous black crystals of babingtonite and groupings to 1.0 cm in size on matrix with crystallized quartz. In good condition. The specimen comes with an antique label from the company Minerals Unlimited.
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