Quartz (var. Smoky) with Dolomite and Calcite

105 x 67 x 67 mm overall

This cluster of well-formed and lustrous, transparent to translucent, yellow-brown smoky Quartz crystals to 64 x 30 mm, is mantled on the reverse with a coating of translucent brown saddle-shaped Dolomite crystals to 3 mm, and pearly white, doubly-terminated scalenohedrons of Calcite to 12 mm. Only one small chip is present on one Quartz. Although there is considerable debate on Mindat, it is likely this specimen was irradiated to produce the smoky color of the Quartz. Nonetheless, the halo effect achieved by the contrast of darker Quartz and lighter Dolomite and Calcite is striking and very aesthetic, and does not detract from its attractiveness as a superb Quartz specimen. From the famous, classic, and now closed Cavnic, Romania locality, this is an excellent specimen.

ex. Carolyn Seitz collection