HELVINE on Quartz

Unknown Owner

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Discovered in the early 2000s, there is still some uncertainty over whether the large, black, tetrahedral crystals at Jinlong Hill are Helvine, manganese oxide pseudomorphs after Helvine, or a partial replacement of Helvine crystals. Either way, they are spectacular for their size, and sharp crystals, with this fine cabinet-sized specimen featuring individual crystals to 1.7 cm on edge and the large cluster of crystals reaching 3 cm across. Part of their beauty is their association with highly elongated 'needle' Quartz crystals. This locality is also famous for 'iron rose' rosettes of Hematite var. Specularite interspersed between white 'needle' Quartz crystals, but although Hematite is present on the base of this piece it is not developed as freestanding crystals. The Quartz crystals on this piece splay out in random directions with some incredibly thin, whilst others are thicker yet still very elongated. Most show three wider prism faces, with three much narrower, producing a more three-sided appearance, usually white but with some brown inclusions towards their termination. A couple of the Quartz crystals are missing, fractured at their base, but most are in good condition. Ex Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021) Collection.