Anhydrite with Carnallite, Kieserite

specimen number:
1052364

location:
Niedersachsen potash mine, Wathlingen, Celle, Lower Saxony, Germany

description:

Colorless mostly gemmy and lustrous blocky crystals of anhydrite measuring to almost 3.5 cm in size on matrix with minor carnallite and kieserite. This is in very good condition and is excellent for the species. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and dates to the very early 20th century.

Mining at this locality focused on the extraction of potash salts from deep Permian evaporite deposits. The mine was developed in the early 20th century as part of the German potash industry, which supplied fertilizer for agriculture. Underground workings followed thick beds of potash minerals such as sylvite and carnallite within the salt formation. Operations continued for many decades before the mine eventually closed, leaving large tailings piles that remain a notable feature of the area.

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