This extraordinary anhydrite from the Empire State Mine in Balmat, northern New York, represents one of the most remarkable modern discoveries of the species. Recovered only a few years ago from depths exceeding 1.5 kilometers, the pocket yielded crystals that surpass all previously known examples, eclipsing the slender Swiss blades long considered the benchmark for anhydrite. This specimen, measuring nearly 18 cm in height, displays a strikingly elegant form defined by a pronounced twin plane that catches the light as a luminous, chatoyant band. Subtle lavender tones sweep across the crystal in delicate parallel zoning, contrasted by areas of near-colorless translucence that enhance its sculptural clarity. Small associations of calcite and pyrite further characterize the Balmat occurrence. Both mineralogically significant and visually arresting, this piece stands as a defining example of the species and a remarkable discovery from New York State.
