Gypsum

specimen number:
2102237

location:
Walworth Quarry, Wayne Co., New York, USA

description:
A large colorless transparent section of gypsum with little attached matrix. Good locality example for the species.

The Walworth Quarry, located in the town of Walworth, Wayne County, New York, is a significant industrial operation situated within the Silurian-aged Salina Group. Geologically, the quarry exploits the Lockport Dolomite and the overlying Vernon Shale, which were deposited in a shallow, restricted marine environment characterized by high evaporation rates. This environment led to the formation of extensive evaporite deposits, including notable specimens of gypsum in the form of transparent selenite crystals and snowy white alabaster. The selenite from this locality is particularly prized by collectors for its exceptional clarity and well-defined fishtail twinning, often found within cavities of the dark, fine-grained dolostone. Historically, the site has been operated for decades as a source of crushed stone for construction and infrastructure, with the Dolomite Products Company managing the quarry through much of its modern history. While the primary output is industrial aggregate, the quarry became famous in the mineralogical community during the mid-to-late 20th century for the consistent recovery of high-quality fluorite, celestine, and gypsum specimens during active excavation.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.