For obvious reasons Wushan Spessartine mine in Yunxiao Co., Zhangzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, China is renowned for its world-class Spessartine crystals but it has also produced some stunning specimens with no trace of the garnet. This small cabinet specimen is a perfect example. Two prominent very glassy deep brown pyramidal prismatic Smoky Quartz crystals are perched upon a flatish, slightly domed plate of crystallized Albite and Microcline looking like Micky Mouse and his ears. Both Smoky Quartz crystals are in superb condition, with perfect terminations, great transparency and a rich brown body colour when backlight, just like the classic Swiss crystals. One is 3.5 cm, the other 4.5 cm tall and although the rear of the specimen looks like a fractured surface it is clear that at least one of the Quartz crystals has been recrystallized on the base, and so is not a recent break. This is a really classy Chinese Smoky Quartz which, with support, looks magnificent upright.
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