QUARTZ
Specimen qua-178

Dims: 4.0" x 2.8" x 2.5" (10.2 x 7.1 x 6.4 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 1.2 oz. (487 g)

Pachapaque Mine, Ancash, Peru

This specimen consists of a thick base of sphalerite on which have grown many long, thin Quartz crystals. These crystals achieve lengths of over 1.0" (2.5 cm), and do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in diameter. Though several are damaged and broken, most of the crystals in this cluster are intact and show no damage. They are colorless, show a slightly "frosted", pearly luster, and are transparent but slightly hazy, likely due to their frosty appearance. At their bases, several cubic pyrite crystals with good form rest around dull crystalline outcroppings of the sphalerite base. I have always liked this specimen because of the contrast between the Quartz and the sphalerite. It also sits up nearly straight, making an excellent display.

Dims: 5.3" x 4.3" x 3.5" (13.5 x 10.9 x 8.5 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 15.9 oz. (1.358 kg)

Minas Gerais, Brazil

This specimen consists of part of a Quartz geode that has been sawn open. The cut edges have been polished, allowing one to see the details of the crystalline and microcrystalline layers of quartz that line the inside of the pale tan lava skin. It consists of a 0.5" (1.3 cm)-thick layer of brown agate that surrounds a thicker (0.9" or 4.8 cm) layer of crystalline quartz, which is capped off by another layer of white agate that is only 1 or 2 mm thick. The hollow in the middle of the geode is thus lined with a bumpy layer of agate that coats a druse of Quartz crystal terminations. This agate layer has a few rusty-brown patches that are caused by impurities. There are a few substantial spots of breakage visible on the lava skin, and the piece doesn't sit straight up on one of the flattened faces as it was meant to, but it still displays well, and is quite interesting to look at. Besides, the agate that lines the hollow glows a faint but noticeable green color when bathed in shortwave UV light!

Dims: 5.4" x 4.5" x 3.4" (13.7 x 11.4 x 8.6 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 11.5 oz. (1.234 kg)

Minas Gerais, Brazil

This Quartz specimen has occurred in the form of a geode, layers of agate and druses of small crystals lining the inside of a bubble that formed in a lava flow. Only a small amount of the Quartz that coats the inside of the geode is microcrystalline in nature- most takes the form of druses of small, colorless, transparent crystals. There are two layers of these crystals, the thinner of which grew later than the thicker layer. There are a few black impurities on the smaller crystals' terminantions and some noticeable rust-staining. Portions of the geode's lava skin are missing- if one places the cut face of the geode over a bright light source, the exposed patches of agate glow brightly. I almost think that it makes a neater display that way.

Dims: 2.4" x 2.4" x 1.4" (6.1 x 6.1 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 3.27 oz. (92.8 g)

Huaron Mine, Ancash, Peru

Another lovely little Peruvian specimen, this piece exhibits dozens of long, thin hexagonal prismatic Quartz crystals that jut out of a base made up of more Quartz that is intergrown with chalcopyrite and sphalerite. The Quartz crystals do not exceed 1" (2.5 cm) in length or 0.1" (3 mm) in diameter, and have excellent form and very little damage. They have a rather dull pearly luster, but are colorless, transparent, and quite clear. The sphalerite in the base occurs as very small crystals that are difficult to see among the Quartzes, but the chalcopyrite forms large crystals, one of which exceeds 0.5" in all dimensions; I have a feeling that it is twinned or consists of two crystals that are intergrown. Like much of the chalcopyrite that I have seen from this locality, the crystals have a dull gold-brown color and a very dull luster. Only in a few small damage areas can the deep gold coloration and metallic luster that one expects of this mineral be seen. It is an excellent specimen for a young collector or one who has little room to devote to specimens.

Dims: 2.3" x 1.2" x 0.6" (5.8 x 3.0 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 20.3 g

Mega Xhorio, Serifos, Greece

When Steve and I saw this specimen for sale, we instantly knew that we had to have it for our stock. Like many other Grecian specimens that we have seen, it has the deep green coloration, murky translucence, and dull, pearly luster of Quartz that has heavy chlorite inclusions. However, the largest crystal on this specimen has the oddest, most warped hexagonal prismatic form that I have ever seen! Its dimensions are 2.3 x 0.7 x 0.6" (5.8 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm), and its form is more or less normal in the lower half of its length. From that point, though, the crystal shows a severely warped form that almost looks like a thin, deep slot was cut into its sides, spiraling up towards the termination tip. I have not seen anything like it before in a Quartz specimen! The other, smaller crystals in the cluster show some warped form on their termination tips, but it is nothing close to that of the larger crystal. There are two that are broken and one of these is incomplete, but the cluster is generally in good condition.

Dims: 7.7" x 6.5" x 5.7" (19.6 x 16.5 x 14.5 cm)

Wt: 6.8 lbs. (3.1 kg)

Mount Ida, Arkansas, U.S.A.

One of the largest clusters in our present stock, this cabinet specimen consists of scores of intergrown hexagonal prismatic Quartz crystals. They are in excellent condition, showing only one large area of damage where a crystal was broken off. The crystals range in length from less than 0.1" (3 mm) to over 7.5" (19 cm). There are 3 crystals on the specimen that are much larger than the others; they are in pristine condition, showing almost no damage. All of the crystals on the cluster have well-defined edges and clean faces that show a vitreous luster. They are transparent and reasonably clear, though the larger crystals show a many assorted inclusions and some internal fractures. Two of the largest crystals show visible phantoms in the lower halves of their lengths, one of which is nearly complete. A small amount of grainy host rock is present on the specimen's underside, and there are a few areas that show some rust-staining, but it is a very impressive specimen that would do well on a spotlighted mantel or shelf.

Dims: 4.3" x 1.8" x 1.5" (10.9 x 4.6 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 8.86 oz. (251.4 g)

Minas Gerais, Brazil

One of the prettiest and most interesting specimens that I have seen, this piece has many attractive traits. It consists of a single colorless, transparent Quartz crystal. Close examination will show that it has a scepter form, wherein the crystal tapers at its base. It has a very subtle, pale smoky coloration and is transparent and moderately clear, though it does contain many cloudy inclusions and a few internal fractures. The crystal generally has clean edges and faces which give off a slightly dull, vitreous luster, though a few areas show some rather bizarre growth patterns and areas of healing. Its hexagonal prismatic form is moderately good, though parts of it are warped and its termination is not quite complete. The cause of this lack of form, however, is the fact that parts of the Quartz are permeated with green elbaite crystals! These crystals show good trigonal prismatic form though most are damaged and missing their terminations, and have a lovely deep-green color. They show a bright, vitreous luster and are transparent and quite clear, though some of the larger ones have several internal fractures. They cover most of 2 of the crystal's faces, and are accompanied by a layer of semicrystalline muscovite and a few random shards of albite, which act as a base rock.

Dims: 4.4 x 3.4 x 3.2" (11.2 x 8.6 x 8.1 cm)

Wt: 14.7 oz. (416 g)

Romania

At least 28 separate and distinct Quartz crystals rest on the metallic sulfide base of this hand specimen. These crystals achieve lengths of up to 3.6" (9.1 cm) and are in excellent condition, showing almost no fresh damage- even the broken crystals have partly-healed breakage surfaces. All have somewhat disseminated hexagonal prismatic form, wherein two or more crystals will be heavily intergrown, and evidence of many more smaller crystals is visible along each prism face. Their hexagonal prismatic form is still definite, however, with relatively well-defined edges and faces that show a pearly-to-vitreous luster. All are milky-white in color and are translucent, though the tips of some terminations are visibly clear. The base rock on which they rest is made up of a variety of metallic sulfide minerals, including pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, and possibly a small amount of bournonite.

Dims: 7.7 x 6.4 x 0.2" (19.6 x 16.3 x 0.5 cm)

Wt: 13.0 oz. (368 g)

Minas Gerais, Brazil

This large specimen consists of a cut and polished slice of a Quartz geode. Just beneath the sparse, dull, pale brown skin of the geode is a layer of banded agate approximately 1.2" (3 cm) in thickness. The agate occurrs in layers, some of which have a reddish-brown coloration. The other layers are essentially coloress and not quite transparent. Inside of the agate layer is a layer of colorless, crystalline Quartz that is approximately 1.1" (2.8 cm) thick. It is also colorless and transparent, though its tendencies cannot really be studied. The core of the geode is made up of alternating layers of white agate and more crystalline Quartz, and a druse of tiny crystals rests in a slight depression at the center.

Dims: 1.5 x 1.3 x 0.9" (3.8 x 3.3 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 2.1 oz. (60 g)

Minas Gerais, Brazil

This specimen consists of a section of a Quartz crystal that has been cut, smoothed and polished. It is slightly damaged on one corner and shows no natural crystal form, though it has a hexagonal shape when viewed facing its basal axis. It is essentially colorless and transparent, though its clarity is interrupted by several phantoms that are trapped within. These phantoms are evidence of its crystal form, which they show. There are both complete and incomplete (due to cutting the specimen) phantoms present, and they are made out of a white dust or milky quartz. A few internal fractures and one cloudy inclusion are also present. There is no host rock, of course.

Dims: 2.3 x 1.2 x 0.6" (5.8 x 3.0 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 10.7 g

Mount Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

This odd specimen does not look at all like Quartz because it is a pseudomorph of aegirine- this simply means that the aegirine was replaced by Quartz, which reatined the shape of the earlier mineral. Thus, though these intersecting crystals are made out of Quartz, they appear to have good monoclinic prismatic form. They are in very good condition, showing no fresh damage, and possess a dull, pale gray coloration and a matte luster, though scores of tiny crystals embedded in their surfaces give the crystals a subtle sparkle. What appear to be a few tiny smoky quartz crystals are embedded at the juncture of the intersecting pseudomorphs, but there is no host rock present.

Dims: 2.8 x 2.1 x 1.5" (7.1 x 5.3 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 2.69 oz. (76.4 g)

Mundo Nuevo Mine, Pallasca, Peru

This specimen consists of a cluster of scores of small Quartz crystals. These crystals are generally in good condition, as they show moderate damage, and do not exceed 0.9" (2.3 cm) in length. Their hexagonal prismatic form is particularly good- there are at least 3 Japan-Law Twins on the piece, one of which is particularly well-exposed (see the second image). All are colorless, transparent and quite clear. They extend off of a base of more massive, white Quartz.

Dims: 4.5 x 2.7 x 1.8" (10.5 x 6.8 x 4.5 cm)

Wt: 14.5 oz. (411 g)

Mount Ida, Montgomery County, Arkansas, U.S.A.

A cluster of heavily-intergrown Quartz crystals makes up this rather odd specimen. Two of the crystals are far larger than the rest, making up nearly the entire mass and volume of the piece. Their hexagonal prismatic form is quite good, though their terminations are rather disseminated- each termination is divided up into 2 or more pyramids that are intergrown but still individuals. Otherwise, their edges are straight and well-defined, and their faces are clean and possess the standard vitreous luster. All are colorless and translucent to dimly transparent due to the presence of many cloudy inclusions and numerous internal fractures. There is no base or host material present.

Dims: 4.6 x 3.0 x 1.6" (11.7 x 7.5 x 4.0 cm)

Wt: 12.4 oz. (352 g)

Mount Ida, Montgomery County, Arkansas, U.S.A.

A crust formed of several intergrown Quartz crystals makes up this hand specimen. These crystals reach lengths of 2.5" (6.3 cm) and are generally in good condition, showing only a small amount of fresh damage. Their hexagonal prismatic form is good. All are colorless and transparent-to-translucent due to the presence of many cloudy inclusions and internal fractures.

Dims: 1.4 x 1.1 x 0.9" (3.4 x 2.9 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 1.22 oz. (34.5 g)

Minas Gerais, Brazil

This small Quartz point has been completely re-faced and polished to a high gloss. It is colorless and transparent but only dimly clear due to the presence of many pale-gray phantoms trapped within. These phantoms are made up of parallel phantom layers that are arranged more or less regularly along the length of the point. The bottom one is easily the most visible and also the most complete, and is evidence of the original, good hexagonal form of the developing crystal.

Dims: 3.7 x 2.7 x 2.6" (9.6 x 6.9 x 6.7 cm)

Wt: 15.7 oz. (446 g)

Mount Ida, Montgomery County, Arkansas, U.S.A.

This large hand specimen consists of 5 intergrown Quartz crystals. The largest of these has dimensions of 2.9 x 1.8 x 1.5" (7.5 x 4.6 x 3.7 cm) and is the least intergrown, whereas the two smallest are intergrown very heavily with the others. Two of the larger crystals are damaged on their termination tips- one lightly so, and the other rather heavily- and one smaller crystal is rather heavily damaged. All have excellent hexagonal prismatic form and are colorless, transparent and dimly to moderately clear due to varying concentrations of internal fractures and cloudy inclusions. There is no host rock present.

Dims: 3.7 x 2.7 x 1.9" (9.4 x 6.9 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 8.34 oz. (236.4 g)

Huaron Mine, Cerro de Pasco, Peru

Scores of small Quartz crystals rest on the quartz-and-pyrite base of this large hand specimen. These crystals measure up to 0.6" (1.5 cm) in length and are in good condition, showing moderate breakage. All have excellent form, and one appears to form a Japan-Law twin, though it extends through and beyond the twinning plane. All are colorless, transparent and quite clear.

Dims: 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.4" (2.3 x 1.8 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 4.9 g

Becker's Quarry, West Willington, Connecticut, U.S.A.

This interesting thumbnail specimen consists of a single Quartz crystal that is in very good condition, showing very little damage. Its hexagonal form is excellent, and it exhibits an uncommon habit that is known as a "Tessin habit", wherein the crystal has a conical habit, tapering constantly and steadily to its termination. It is colorless, transparent, and quite clear near its tip, though its base is rather cloudy and contains a few internal fractures. It has the standard vitreous luster and is heavily striated. There is no base or host rock present.

Dims: 3.3 x 2.1 x 1.6" (8.4 x 5.4 x 4.0 cm)

Wt: 4.0 oz. (114 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

At least 7 Herkimer Diamond Quartz crystals intersect to form this loose cluster. The largest of these crystals measures 1.6 x 1.2 x 1.2" (4.0 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm), and like the next largest, show considerable fresh damage- the rest of the crystals show minor or no damage. All have very good doubly-terminated hexagonal form and are colorless, transparent and dimly to moderately clear, containing many internal fractures and a few inclusions. At one point, most of the crystals were broken apart and then reattached with a clear glue.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.5 x 1.3" (4.7 x 3.9 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 1.6 oz. (44 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

Six intersecting Herkimer Diamond Quartz crystals form this loose cluster. These crystals reach dimensions of 1.4 x 1.1 x 1.0" (3.6 x 2.7 x 2.5 cm) and are generally in excellent condition, showing almost no damage. All have excellent doubly-terminated hexagonal form and are colorless and transparent. Their luster is vitreous and bright, and they are moderately to very clear, containing internal flaws and inclusions. An inclusion in one of the smaller crystals is particularly interesting- it is a two-phase inclusion in the form of some black solid material that moves within a pocket inside the crystal. Its movement suggests that the pocket is filled with a gas instead of a liquid.

Dims: 4.1 x 2.9 x 2.3" (10.4 x 7.5 x 5.7 cm)

Wt: 15.3 oz. (433 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

At least 5 Herkimer Diamonds intersect to form this cabinet specimen. Three of these crystals are much larger than the others and make up the bulk of the mass of the piece. One shows moderate to heavy surface damage, and was separated and then glued back onto the other two, which are in very good condition. All have stubby hexagonal prismatic form with double terminations and are colorless and transparent. Their luster is vitreous and each contains many inclusions and internal fractures, spoiling their clarity. A few tiny bits of brown host rock are present.

Dims: 3.2 x 2.5 x 1.7" (8.1 x 6.4 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 6.3 oz. (178 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

Five Herkimer Diamonds lie in pockets in the brown limestone host rock of this cabinet specimen. Four of these are clustered together in one pocket, and the last rests in another pocket. The largest of these appears to measure about 0.8 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.9 x 1.2 x 1.0 cm), and like the other crystals, is in excellent condition, being protected in its pocket. All have very good hexagonal prismatic form with double terminations and a vitreous luster. They are also colorless, transparent and quite clear.

Dims: 2.6 x 2.6 x 1.9" (6.7 x 6.7 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 5.3 oz. (150 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

Two intersecting Herkimer Diamonds make up this cabinet specimen. One crystal is much larger than the other, having dimensions of 2.6 x 2.0 x 1.6" (6.7 x 5.0 x 4.0 cm), and both are in very good condition, showing only a small amount of damage. Their hexagonal prismatic form is very good, and both show double-termination. They are colorless, transparent and have the standard vitreous luster. Their clarity is spoiled by the presence of many internal fractures, flaws and inclusions, and at one point the two were separated and then reattached with a clear glue. A few dull, pale brown dolomite crystals are attached in one spot.

Dims: 2.3 x 2.1 x 1.4" (5.8 x 5.5 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 3.8 oz. (107 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

Two intersecting Herkimer Diamonds rest in a pocket in the dolomitic limestone base of this cabinet piece. The larger one, measuring approximately 0.8" (2 cm) in length, entraps the other crystal, which is much smaller, within the hollow. Both have excellent doubly-terminated hexagonal prismatic form and are colorless and transparent. Their luster is vitreous and both are very clear.

Dims: 2.7 x 2.0 x 1.5" (6.9 x 5.0 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 5.6 oz. (160 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

This cabinet specimen consists of a cluster of 3 intersecting Herkimer Diamonds that are generally in good condition- though all show geometric indentations caused by the separation of other crystals, only the smallest shows any fresh damage. All have excellent hexagonal prismatic form and are doubly-terminated. They have the standard vitreous luster and are colorless, transparent and dimly to moderately clear, containing many internal fractures, flaws, and inclusions. Some iron oxide is trapped within some fractures, giving portions of the crystals a yellow tinge.

Dims: 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.3" (7.0 x 4.3 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 3.1 oz. (89 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

At least 6 Herkimer Diamonds intersect to form this hand specimen. The largest of the crystals has dimensions of 1.5 x 1.4 x 1.2" (3.8 x 3.6 x 3.0 cm) and shows only slight damage- the other crystals are in even better condition. All have excellent hexagonal prismatic form and are doubly-terminated. They are colorless and have a bright, vitreous luster, and are transparent and moderately to very clear. The largest crystal contains some rust inclusions that give it a yellow tinge. The cluster broke apart at one time, and has been glued back together.

Dims: 3.2 x 2.5 x 1.5" (8.2 x 6.4 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 4.7 oz. (133 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

Three Herkimer Diamonds rest in pockets in the limestone host rock of this cabinet piece. These crystals do not exceed 0.7" (1.8 cm) in length or 0.5" (1.2 cm) in width and are in excellent condition due to the protection of the limestone. All have excellent hexagonal prismatic form with double terminations, and are colorless and transparent. Their vitreous luster is standard, and their clarity is very good. A small amount of dull, cream-colored dolomite is also embedded in the limestone.

Dims: 1.8 x 1.6 x 1.2" (4.5 x 4.0 x 3.1 cm)

Wt: 1.8 oz. (50 g) w/ base

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

The limestone host rock of this hand specimen contains 6 Herkimer Diamonds resting in hollows. These crystals do not exceed 0.5" (1.2") in length or diameter and all are in excellent condition, showing no visible damage. All have excellent doubly-terminated hexagonal prismatic form and are colorless and transparent. Their vitreous luster is standard for the specie, and their exceptional clarity is common for pieces from this area. The piece is hot-glued to a square acrylic base.

Dims: 0.8 x 0.6 x 0.4" (2.0 x 1.4 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 3 g

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

This single Herkimer Diamond Quartz crystal is in very good condition, showing no fresh damage. Its doubly-terminated hexagonal form is excellent, and it is transparent and generally clear, though it contains several large internal fractures and a few inclusions. One particular inclusion is interesting- it is a two-phase inclusion, in the form of a moving air bubble in a water pocket. The air bubble is quite large and easy to see, and its movement is plainly visible. A small, black tile base is included.

Dims: 2.4 x 1.6 x 1.0" (6.2 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 2.2 oz. (63 g)

Herkimer County, New York, U.S.A.

Two intersecting Herkimer Diamonds rest in a hollow in the limestone base of this hand specimen. The larger of these crystals measures about 0.5" (1.2 cm) in length, and is considerably larger than the other one. Both are in excellent condition, showing no human-induced damage, and have excellent doubly-terminated hexagonal form. They are colorless, transparent and very clear, and have the standard vitreous luster.

Dims:2.9x2.3x2.2" (7.4x5.8x5.6 cm)

Wt: 5.4oz. (152g)

Galileia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Three transparent crystals of quartz rise from a matrix of albite, muscovite, and quartz in this specimen. Two of the crystals constitute a parallel growth. These crystals reach nearly 1.0" (2.5cm) in length. This specimen shows no damage at all, and displays quite nicely.

Dims: 1.5x1.3x1.8" (3.8x3.3x4.6 cm)

Wt: 1.23 oz. (34.9g)

St. Johnsville (near Herkimer), New York, USA

Herkimer diamonds (doubly terminated clear quartz crystals) formed in cavities in a rock and are usually removed from the cavity without any matrix. These quartz crystals look just like Herkimers, but they are perched upon a shell (actually a quartz druze) that formed over a softer rock, since partially disolved away. Three of the quartz crystals are extremely clear, another 4 have varying amounts of fractures and/or milkyness. Luckily enough, the top crystals are best, and the lower the crystal, the lower the quality (on this specimen).

Dims: 1.2x0.7x1.3" (3.0x1.7x3.3 cm)

Wt: 0.4 oz. (11.0g)

St. Johnsville (near Herkimer), New York, USA

This specimen has a cluster of 4 "Herkimer Diamond" style quartz crystals on a druze of tiny quartz crystals over a brown crust. The two uppermost crystals are nearly perfect in form and clarity, while the other two appear cloudy due to numerous internal fractures. The largest crystal also has some damage (fracture on a point and edge) - perhaps there was once a fifth crystal which broke off, leaving this damage as its legacy.

Dims: 5.1x2.9x1.2" (13.0x7.4x3.0cm)

Wt: 10.68oz (302.6g)

Western USA

This specimen is a green jasper. It is not very pretty, but it does have a pattern which could be appealing when a skilled lapidairist cuts and polishes it into one or more cabochons.

Dims: 5.73x2.50x2.43" (14.55x6.36x6.16cm)

Wt: 30.94oz (877g)

? Uraguay ?

This stalactite has been cut leaving a flat base, and the entire specimen is covered with centimeter scale colorless transparent quartz crystals, all of which are relatively stubby and have enough internal fractures as to appear milky. A loupe reveals that the quartz is very slightly milky. The cut base, while not polished, still shows that the core of the stalactite is agate. A hundred or so of the thousand+ crystals are damaged, all showing fractured tips which I believe to be human induced damage. Still, other than the damage and slightly milky appearance, this is a very nice stalactite.

Dims: 1.71x1.25x0.62" (4.34x3.17x1.58cm)

Wt: 0.77oz (21.9g)

Magaliesberg Mountains, Kwa Ndebele, South Africa

This is a specimen of "Cactus Quartz", essentially a single large prismatic quartz crystal that has been overgrown with a druze of tiny prismatic quartz crystals except at the termination. The net effect is that the sides of the crystal are spiky and sparkly. From the broken base, once can see the original quartz crystal and measure the 3-4mm thickness of the druze.

Dims: 2.42x0.92x0.42" (6.15x2.34x1.08cm)

Wt: 0.75oz (21.3g)

Magaliesberg,South Africa

This is a specimen of "Cactus Quartz". It consists of a large prismatic quartz crystal which tapers slightly towards its termination. Its color varies from a milky white to a smoky gray to light shades of brown. This crystal is covered with a druze of tiny transparent colorless quartz crystals - the "needles" of the cactus.

Dims: 4.28x2.32x1.60in (10.87x5.88x4.07cm)

Wt: 6.23oz (176.7g)

Magaliesberg, South Africa

This is an excellent specimen of "cactus quartz", as a single large prismatic quartz crystalarrises from a cluster of smaller crystals. The sides of all of the quartz crystals are coated with a druze of tiny quartz crystrals, giving the specimen a prickly appearance and feel. Only the terminations are free of the druze. The specimen stands nicely on its own.

dims mm=56.51x11.95x13.31

wt g=14.2

Magaliesberg Mtn. Range, Kwa Ndebele, South Africa

This isolated cactus quartz crystal is white on one side and a light brown on the other, which also has a sprinkling of "pepper" which looks like goethite to me.

dims mm=61.32x17.61x16.95

wt g=26.3

Magaliesberg Mtn. Range, Kwa Ndebele, South Africa

While most people would consider this a "cactus quartz" specimen, some would call it "cactus amethyst" because of its very pale violet color. The druze of quartz (amethyst?) crystals are colored yellow in some places, so some would call that citrine. A loupe is needed to detect the tiny bit of damage to the tip of the crystal.

Dims mm=45.53x28.68x25.63

wt g=45.3

Magaliesberg, South africa

I couldn't decide how to characterize this specimen. It comes from a mine that produces the amethyst variety of "cactus quartz". However, it is quite dark, not the pretty violet-purple of amethyst. Close inspection shows that the large central crystal is a phantom - smoky quartz over amethyst. There is also an area of citrine (yellow-orange colored quartZ). In the end, I decided to just call it "quartz".

dims mm=51.66x26.00x22.63

wt g=41.0

Magaliesberg, South africa

This is a stubby little specimen of "Cactus Quartz". While the crystals are generally transparent, they have many internal fractures, and the druze coating the sides of the central crystal has a bit of a smoky tint. One side of the crystal shows several damaged crystals - it looks like another crystal was once attached here.