Quartz on Calcite

Unknown Owner

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If you are looking for a mineral specimen where the crystals defy what one would normally think possible for a species then this piece from Trepča in Kosovo might just be for you. On first impressions, if you were asked what species this is you would probably not come up with Quartz. These crystals are so elongated and slender, that they look a dead-ringer for Aragonite. Not only that, but their mode of formation, as bow-tie like radiating sprays of crystals is similar to Aragonite too, but these are definitely Quartz. Sat upon a nobbly protuberance of beige-coloured Calcite, the two sprays of Quartz reach 9.7 and 7.7 cm in length and overlap very slightly just off centre. Frosted white for their entire length it is unclear if these crystals are doubly-terminated, or simply begin from the centre and radiate outwards. Six of the crystals are missing their terminations but most (and there are alot) are intact and present a remarkable display for Quartz, and there are no repairs visible. Perched dramatically atop the Calcite matrix, this specimen does sit naturally and unsupported for display.