Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 637

Corsi 637, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 637  
Name and quarry location: Pietra del Vesuvio, from Mt. Vesuvius, Naples, Campania, Italy  
Geological description: Silicate-rich skarn, containing green amphibole and fawn-coloured feldspar. Brown areas are filler.  
Comments: Blocks of skarn ejected from Vesuvius are found embedded in tuffs cut by ravines on the flanks of Monte Somma and Mount Vesuvius. Some have cavities containing well-formed crystals, sometimes of rare minerals. Others are more cohesive and better suited to taking a polish, although these rocks have never been widely used for decorative purposes. Small slabs of the various stones from Vesuvius were sold to 'grand tourists'. For example, when Jane and Mary Parminter returned to England in the 18th century, they had their souvenirs inlaid in a table-top, now to be seen at A La Ronde, a National Trust Property in Devon, England.  
References: Price (2007) 214  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 8. Volcanic stones; i. Stones from Vesuvius  
Corsi's text: 155.17 Pietre del Vesuvio  

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