Prismatic crystals of pale tan sillimanite, most 7-12 mm in diameter, projecting from the surface of a fine-grained microcline-biotite-quartz gneiss. The sillimanite crystals in this specimen (FMM-2206) are viewed "head on," and only short segments of them are visible. The crystals are mutually parallel and define a lineation in the host gneiss. In a companion specimen from the same locality (SIL2a) the crystals are seen to be spindle-shaped and 8-10 cm long.
Identifier: SIL3a Locality: Owens, north of present-day McAfee, in northern Vernon Township, along the western base of Pochuck Mountain, near the intersection of Owens Station Road (County Route 642) and Lake Wallkill Road. The exact locality is unknown, but this area is about 16 km north-northeast of Franklin. Specimen size: 17 x 8.5 x 3 cm Photo credit: Earl R. Verbeek
