Quartz with Rutile. Cristalina, Goiás, Brazil. ...

Description

Quartz with Rutile
Cristalina, Goiás, Brazil

"An over polished quartz crystal with thick black reticulated rutile inclusions that look a little silvery because of complete internal reflections along the edges of the crystals. I have never seen anything like this from any of the quartz mines in Minas Gerais. This of [sic] one of the finest examples that I was able to get during my many trips to Brazil."
- Rock H. Currier

Silver needles of Rutile weave together to form a net of crystals inside of this stunning quartz specimen. The form of the Rutile Inclusions is unlike most other Brazilian specimens, with thick crystals as opposed to the more typical golden filaments. This unusual color is likely due to internal reflections as light passes through the Quartz to the Rutile, but the effect is nevertheless stunning. The sharp geometry of the Rutile contrasts nicely against the amorphous pink clay included beneath, providing the perfect base for the crystals. The exact locality of this piece is nearly impossible to track. Many residents of Cristalina make their living by digging, polishing, and selling Quartz points that they discover in the local sandstones and pegmatites. Many of these "mines" do not have formal names, but are artisanal endeavors that more closely resemble a hole in the ground than a commercial operation. Like many Brazilian pieces, dealers tend to substitute the locality with the name of the market town where the piece was purchased.


Overall Measurements: 3.1 x 1.8 x 1.1 inches (8.0 x 4.5 x 2.7 cm)
Weight: 127 grams
Offered at no reserve

Provenance: Purchased at locality from Mauricio, [RHC 6543, acquired 1996]

[Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]

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