Minerals - Ulexite - English Italian Hand

"Ulexite is named after G.L. Ulex, the chemist who discovered the mineral. Its chemical composition is hydrous sodium calcium borate. Most popular in fibrous form, it can also grow in nodule form, or cotton-ball-like form, also very popular with collectors. Ulexite is too soft to be suitable for gem use other than as cabochons which exhibit beautiful chatoyance, and will dissolve in hot water. Though a beautiful material in and of itself, it is the unique property of Ulexite's fibrous form that gives it the nickname "Television Stone" or "TV Rock" that makes it popular with many collectors. When the terminating ends of a specimen are polished, because all the fibers are parallel and compacted together, images at one end can be viewed at the other. This optical effect is the result of its crystal fibers acting as tiny fiber-optic cables transmitting light from one end to the other. The specimen from my collection is not particularly beautiful and has a somewhat moonstone-like appearance.

Some points of interest in my calligraphic composition rendered in a late-era (c.1780s) English Italian Hand are: certainly, the very elaborate 'U', the intricate 'x', and the uncommon 'te' ligature where the t-cross swoops down to form the high-crossed eye of the 'e'."

~2016, Don Marsh~
©2016 Don Marsh