Natural History - Historic Green Smithsonite Crystal Formation

Knightia alta specimen on a rectangular matrix. 168 grams, 11 cm



From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. Acquired during 1980s. From the Pradi Collection, Boston, U.S.A.

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.

The rounded pebble opened to reveal the internal cavity filled with quartz crystals in enhanced red colour. 122 grams, 56 mm each



From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Each specimen with good crystal formation; supplied in labelled cardboard trays. 390 grams total, 33-45 mm



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