Emerald and Quartz

A well-developed emerald crystal, showing a prismatic habit and a distinct basal pinacoidal termination. The crystal is predominantly bounded by six well-developed faces of the first-order hexagonal prism {10-10}, accompanied by six narrower faces attributable to the second-order hexagonal prism {11-20}. This combination produces a 12-sided outline in transverse view, with alternating faces belonging to the two crystallographically distinct prism forms.

The development of second-order prism faces is an occasional feature documented in Colombian emeralds, where they occur in combination with the dominant first-order prism and basal pinacoid. The crystal therefore displays a more complex prismatic morphology than the simple hexagonal prism commonly observed in emerald.

The emerald is embedded in a contrasting matrix and is associated with a large, translucent to transparent quartz crystal. The quartz exhibits well-developed prismatic faces and a vitreous luster. The emerald shows an intense green coloration, with internal growth features and inclusions visible through the translucent to transparent portions of the crystal. Surface textures on the prism faces are consistent with natural crystal growth and subsequent modification during the hydrothermal history of the specimen.

The specimen provides a clear example of the characteristic prismatic morphology of emerald, including the subordinate development of second-order prism faces and a basal pinacoidal termination.

minID: G2X-A9T