Artinite, Hydromagnesite

This specimen features a plate of snow-white radial sprays of acicular artinite clustered on hydromagnesite crystal crusts, forming a sculptural small cabinet on a serpentine matrix from the Spring Street at Medford Road Occurrence in Staten Island. The serpentine is the oldest rock on the surface of Staten Island. Artinite is an uncommon hydrated magnesium carbonate with a hydroxyl group. Most collecting at this site occurred before the early 1970s, with no access since. This is a rare urban find from a classic American locality, and the scarcity of quality specimens on the market adds to its significance and rarity.