Double-Terminated Gypsum Crystal from Neuenhain, Hesse, Germany

This gypsum specimen comes from a former lignite open-pit mine near Neuenhain in the Borken lignite mining district of northern Hesse, Germany. An approximately 6 cm long, partly transparent main crystal is accompanied by several smaller gypsum crystals.

The main crystal shows a double-terminated form with clearly defined crystal faces. Additional gypsum crystals occur along the sides and at the base, some of them arranged in fan-shaped groups. White to brownish inclusions and surface deposits produce irregular zoning, particularly along the edges.

With a length of approximately 6 cm, the piece belongs to the small cabinet specimen size category.

Gypsum from the Former Borken Lignite Mining District

Numerous gypsum crystals were recovered from the Borken lignite mining district during active mining. The Hessian Lignite Mining Museum still displays gypsum crystals in a variety of forms from Borken and the surrounding region.

The crystals formed within clay-rich and sandy sediments of the lignite deposits. Gypsum occurred there as individual transparent crystals and as groups with tabular, prismatic, or fan-shaped habits.

The former open-pit mine is now closed and is no longer accessible as a regular mineral locality. The combination of a double-terminated main crystal, fan-shaped accompanying crystals, and regional provenance makes this piece a characteristic specimen from the lignite mining history of northern Hesse.