[Rockhounds] Fwd: Climb inside The World's Largest Geode

[Stephen Shimatzki]

Oh yes, love them.  I've been to the Heineman geode in the past and even
acquired a larger ( well, larger than average Findlay Arch size that I've
self collected in other quarries) celestite crystal from an old estate
collection I purchase that is supposedly sourced from the cave/geode
there.   Apparently way back then, it was common for them to sell in the
winery.

Last time I was there about 6 years ago, they sold some imported rocks in
the display case with the t-shirts but not celestine, so I consider mine
with the original label as a unique piece in my collection.

Our local club is slated to visit again August 20th.  I'll try and get some
fresh pictures to compare.  From what I recall, It is a rather cramped
space they march you down steep stairs, around the stairs at the bottom to
allow the previous group to climb the stairs out. After 5-10 minutes and
then your group is ushered out back out.

Btw, you get a free tasting if wine or grape juice afterwards, so its worth
the $10 admissions price!   Since I'm an assistant wine maker at Chateau
Tebeau in Helena Ohio, I look forward to the comparison and contrast of
mainland vs island wine.

There is another cave just down the road on the same island (perry's cave)
but it doesn't have the celestine.  It was found when looking for a water
source on the island.  Lots of little soda straws, some fried egg
formations, etc..  Also at perrys cave for the kids they also have mini
golf, salted sluicing buckets with quartz, etc, and my wife's favorite is
the butterfly house.

If you can, get wet in the great north coast!

Steve
Stephen Shimatzki

On Tue, Jul 26, 2022, 11:37 PM Kreigh Tomaszewski <kreigh at gmail.com> wrote:

> We have discussed the biggest geode before. I have visited the Heineman
> Winery, Crystal Cave.
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Kreigh Tomaszewski <kreigh at gmail.com>
> Date: Fri, Oct 18, 2019 at 7:52 PM
> Subject: Climb inside The World's Largest Geode
> To: Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors <
> rockhounds at rockhounds.drizzle.com>
>
>
> If you can figure out which one it is...
>
> The World's Largest Geode Formed When the Mediterranean Sea Disappeared,
> New Study Reveals
> Most geodes can fit in the palm of your hand. The Pulpí Geode can fit your
> entire family inside it.
>
> In an abandoned mine in southern Spain, there is a room of pure crystal.
>
> To get there, you'll have to descend deep into tunnels, climb a ladder into
> an inconspicuous hole in the rocks and squeeze through a jagged tube of
> gypsum crystals barely wide enough for one person. If you make it that far,
> you'll be standing inside the world's largest geode: the Pulpí Geode, a
> 390-cubic-foot (11 cubic meters) cavity about the size of a cement mixer
> drum, studded with crystals as clear as ice and sharp as spears on every
> surface.
>
> https://www.livescience.com/pulpi-geode-history-revealed.html
> Crystal Cave - The World's Largest Geode
> See celestine crystals up to 3 feet in width!
>
> Discovered by workers in 1897 while digging a well for the winery 40 feet
> above, Crystal Cave is the world's largest geode. The walls of this cave
> are covered in strontium sulfate, a blueish mineral called celestite. These
> crystals range from 8 to 18 inches long. The original cave was much smaller
> than what appears today, as crystals were harvested and sold for the
> manufacturing of fireworks.
>
> Owned and operated by Heineman Winery, Crystal Cave helped save the
> family-run winery from demise during Prohibition. Tours of the cave helped
> pay the bills, while other wineries on the island closed.
>
> http://www.heinemanswinery.com/crystalcave.asp
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