Natural History - Boxed Quartz Crystal Display Specimen Group [6]

Diplomystus sp. specimen on a rectangular matrix. 234 grams, 13.7 cm



From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. From an old Bristol, UK, collection.

In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah) in the Green River Formation are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Ulinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time.

Each specimen displaying prismatic crystals on matrix. 94 grams total, 19-28 mm



From Mexico. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).

With two straight edges, cut to expose the inner structure of a geode with layers of amethyst and other crystals. 613 grams, 24.5 cm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).