Papagoite (phantom) inclusion in Quartz

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A fine example of ultra-blue papagoite inclusions inside one end of a robust, doubly terminated quartz crystal. This is from the famous find of the late 1980s at the Messina Mine in South Africa now legendary among collectors. While ajoite inclusions in quartz were common here, such rich inclusions of papagoite were rare, and were found in perhaps in one of a hundred, if that. These are extremely hard to obtain in any decent quality and these inclusions just happen to be revealed at the termination of this parallel grouped quartz cluster where the main crystal is big and doubly terminated, which is not common! This piece is relatively rich as seen from three crystal faces at the termination that are transparent. Atypical of this material, the relevant crystal faces are NOT polished to reveal the inclusions within! Growth features on these faces can easily be seen. The piece is dusted with a pale olive green coating of a very fine-grained unidentified mineral (presumably epidote). Out of the ground for over three decades, rich blue inclusions of this calcium-copper-aluminum silicate is a rare treasure among quartz crystals found at the Messina Mine! Dr. Erika Pohl-Ströher #44693