Mineral: Gypsum
Locality: Ar Ruwais (Ar-Ruwais), Al Mintaqa (Al-Mintaqa), Al Gharbia (Al-Gharbyya), United Arab Emirates
Dimensions: 7,5 x 6,0 x 17,0 cm

Description: Main crystal size : 18,0cm Transparent, colorless and intact single crystal showing the unusual shape for this species of a hexagonal prism, with remains of clay at the base. Inside the crystal are small bubbles creating the outline of a separate crystal structure. There is also one small water bubble near the base of the crystal. This crystal was found in 1999-2000 during the construction of a quay for ships on the shores of the Persian Gulf Sea at the Ruwais Petrochemical Complex. This entailed the excavation of the shore to a depth of 12 m below sea level. The mass excavation of the area (about 6.000 m²) was carried out by a bulldozer with ripper. At a depth of -8 a layer of green hardened clay was met hosting rare cavities (with the largest measuring 30 x 60 cm) which, when opened, were full of milky and salty water. The greatest majority of these geodes were destroyed during the works: the surviving ones were only those on the vertical walls of the excavation. Typically, the geodes were half full of gray-brown clay, and the gypsum crystals, when present, were stuck in the clay and could be easily extracted by hand. All crystals were matrixless. The crystals size was, on average, of 8-10 cm, but in very few instances samples up to 25 cm were recovered. They were remarkable by their transparency, luster and crystal habit. These crystals were never washed and should still retain some salt on their surfaces. MIM number 1660 Photographer : Augustin de Valence (Ainu)

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