Minerals - Epidote- English Italian Hand

"Epidote is the name used for both a group of silicate and for the most crystal variant of that group. Epidote is a common and abundant mineral that forms secondarily in marble, schistose, and other metamorphic rocks (rock formed under extreme heat & pressure). Its color is most commonly a dark to olivine green. In crystal form epidote looks somewhat like green quartz, which if of high quality can cut and used as a gem in jewelry. Unfortunately, the only epidote I have in my collection is this tumbled specimen. But it still makes for a pretty addition to the collection. The green mottling present in the specimen is the epidote.

The English form of Italian Hand I've chosen here displays a mix of both early & later style characteristics with a strong French influence (a common characteristic of early English penmen). The French influence is especially seen in the continuous movement winding "t" and the flourishing in the capital E. The "p" is a blending of traits from John Ayres and Charles Snell, both famed English Writing Masters from the period just before the dominance of George Bickham and his peers (pre-1715). I know I've seen this variant of "o" before, though I can't recall where. Perhaps some old manuscript? I chose it simply for its uniqueness and because I don't think I've used it in any other piece before."

~2016, Don Marsh~
©2016 Don Marsh