Titanite

specimen number:
2262112

location:
Tilly Foster, Brewster, New York, USA

description:
Classic old New York specimen with a yellow green lustrous translucent crystal of titanite measuring 1.5 cm across coming off matrix. This is in good condition, that is not damage across the top of the crystal. Neat historical piece that comes with several antique labels as shown at the end of the video.

The Tilly Foster Mine, located in Brewster, Putnam County, New York, is a historic magnetite deposit situated within the Hudson Highlands. Geologically, the ore body occurs as a massive lens of magnetite hosted in Precambrian metamorphic rocks, primarily gneiss and schist, and is noted for its complex contact metamorphism which produced a diverse array of silicate minerals. The site is a famous locality for titanite, also known as sphene, which occurs there as lustrous, wedge-shaped crystals ranging from honey-yellow to dark brown, often found embedded in a matrix of calcite or clinochlore. Historically, mining and quarrying began in 1810 after the discovery of iron ore on the property of Tilly Foster, with large-scale industrial operations expanding significantly under the Tilly Foster Iron Mines company in the mid-to-late 19th century. The mine was notorious for its depth and a catastrophic cave-in in 1895, which led to its eventual closure in 1897. While the open pit later served as a reservoir and remains flooded through 2026, the locality continues to be recognized by mineralogists for its exceptional specimens and unique geological setting in the northeastern United States.Warner and Grieger was a highly influential mineral and lapidary firm based in Pasadena, California, founded by Edward Warner and John Grieger in the 1930s. The duo played a pivotal role in popularizing the hobby of mineral collecting and gem cutting in the United States, transitioning from a small mail-order business to a major commercial enterprise. They are perhaps best known for their extensive catalogs and for providing high-quality specimens and lapidary equipment to a growing mid-century market. Following the departure of Edward Warner, John Grieger continued the business as Grieger's, Inc., which became a staple for hobbyists seeking "rough" material and findings through the 1950s and 1960s.

Lawrence Conklin was a world-renowned mineral dealer based in New York City, widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and sophisticated figures in the history of the mineral trade. Operating from his office on 5th Avenue and later from his home in Connecticut, Conklin specialized in "antique" minerals and specimens with significant historical provenance. He was a meticulous researcher and an elegant writer, often publishing articles that corrected historical errors in mineralogical literature. His career spanned over five decades, during which he handled some of the finest known specimens from classic European and American localities, setting a high standard for aesthetic quality and documentation in the field.

Charles W. Hoadley (1877-1937) was a prominent American mineral collector from Englewood, New Jersey, whose collection was famous for its breadth and the quality of its local specimens. He was particularly active in the early 20th century, frequently visiting the trap rock quarries of the Watchung Mountains and the Franklin-Sterling Hill mining district. Hoadley was an officer of the New York Mineralogical Club and a frequent contributor to mineralogical journals, documenting new occurrences in the Tri-State area. After his death, his significant collection, which included thousands of well-cataloged pieces, was acquired by the American Museum of Natural History, ensuring that his life's work remained available for scientific study through 2026.

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