{"title":"Morion \u0026 Rich Smoky Quartz","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMorion is the near-black extreme of smoky quartz, its intense colour formed when natural irradiation acts upon aluminium defects within the crystal lattice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile smoky quartz is widespread, fine Morion specimens combining naturally deep colour with strong crystal form, lustre and preservation are far less common. This collection brings together specimens selected for exactly those qualities, with each piece showing the dramatic colour, form and mineralogical character that make exceptional Morion so compelling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"smoky-quartz-2","title":"Morion Quartz, Vietnam","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Morion Quartz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eXuan Le, Thường Xuân District, Thanh Hóa Province, Vietnam\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100mm x 35mm x 36mm (approx)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 162.2g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ex. Mala Haslem Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exceptionally dark Morion quartz is from the \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eThanh Hóa Province, and features \u003c\/span\u003ea dense near black colour, strong lustre and a beautifully detailed natural surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crystal has a compact tapered form, with early cathedral like structures beginning to develop along the column faces. The surface is particularly interesting, combining a glossy patina with fine laminations and subtle swirling growth patterns that are artful and organic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe termination is sharply formed, with a particularly appealing five sided window, sometimes called an isis face. Around the base, pale feldspar penetrates into the quartz and creates a strong contrast against the much darker body of the crystal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite its almost opaque appearance, the specimen remains highly reflective across the exposed faces, and the combination of deep Morion colour, intricate surface texture, developing cathedral growth and the unusual termination geometry gives this piece a very distinct character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eVietnamese quartz has emerged onto the international market relatively recently, but material from Thanh Hóa has quickly earned a strong reputation for exceptionally dark Morion and smoky quartz crystals with distinctive natural growth and surface texture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Liminal Stone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790038298756,"sku":"C-11","price":579.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/1815\/4628\/files\/7C5046A3-C8B8-486A-86C5-9D17FB08152E.jpg?v=1789017434"},{"product_id":"morion-quartz","title":"Morion Quartz, Poland","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Morion Quartz, Iron\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eGmina Strzegom, Świdnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 109mm x 39mm x 30mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 170g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ex. Mala Haslem Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eHere is an exceptional Morion quartz from Strzegom, one of Europe’s great historic pegmatite localities. The crystal appears almost black in hand, with extraordinary lustre, excellent internal clarity and a finely detailed iron rich surface that reveals itself under direct lighting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crystal has a strong elongated form with intensely reflective column faces and dense horizontal growth. Across parts of the surface is a remarkably fine mosaic like iron patina, creating intricate areas of texture and colour against the otherwise near black quartz. The photographs have been lit specifically to reveal this detail, so the iron patterning appears considerably more prominent here than it does in normal viewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeep within the termination is an unusually bright phantom which can produce an intense rainbow under very specific lighting conditions. It is remarkably elusive. I knew the feature was present when I acquired the crystal, but it took me several months before I finally found the exact angle required to reveal it. When it does appear, the contrast between the brilliant internal feature and the dense Morion surrounding it is spectacular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrzegom has an unusually long mineralogical history. Regular granite quarrying in the area is documented from at least 1689, with quarrying expanding considerably during the nineteenth century. The pegmatite cavities exposed through this work became famous among mineralogists and collectors, and the district developed into one of the classic European localities for miarolitic pegmatite minerals. More than 90 mineral species have now been recorded from its pegmatite cavities. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuartz is one of the defining minerals of the Strzegom pegmatites, particularly smoky quartz and Morion. The locality is also notable for complex multi stage quartz growth, with earlier dark smoky or Morion generations sometimes enclosed by later clearer quartz, producing phantoms within the crystals. This history of repeated growth helps explain why Strzegom quartz can show such interesting internal structure beneath an otherwise very dark exterior. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe period from \u003cstrong\u003e2011 into 2012 was particularly significant for smoky quartz discoveries at Strzegom\u003c\/strong\u003e. Major pockets opened at the B-17 quarry in August 2011 and again in February 2012 produced important Morion and highly lustrous smoky quartz associations, followed in March 2012 by the discovery of a huge pegmatite cavity at Żółkiewka I containing multiple generations of smoky quartz. The August 2011 B-17 discovery was described as one of the most significant finds in the history of the Strzegom-Sobótka massif. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduction across the district reduced after 2012 as quarry activity declined, and material from these classic Strzegom finds is encountered much less frequently on the international market today. In Australia it is rarer still, and this is one of the only Strzegom Morion crystals we've personally handled here. The combination of near black colour, extraordinary lustre, internal clarity, fine iron surface texture and its elusive internal phantom makes this a particularly special example from a locality with more than a century of mineral collecting history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Liminal Stone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790057173124,"sku":"C-12","price":1675.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/1815\/4628\/files\/6EAA7255-8DD0-45FB-A78F-718D34946BB4.jpg?v=1789017661"},{"product_id":"morion-quartz-1","title":"Morion Quartz, China","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Morion Quartz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eInner Mongolia, China\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  180mm x 78mm x 40mm (approx)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 294g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ex. Mala Haslem Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is an extraordinary Morion quartz from Inner Mongolia, acquired at the Perth Gem \u0026amp; Mineral Show in 2022. At 180mm tall it has an unusually commanding form, built from several long parallel crystals with dense black colour, cool grey banding and contrasting pale mineral zones across the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main crystal rises in a remarkably slender column, with strong horizontal growth and a glossy lustre across the darker faces. Parallel crystals run closely alongside it, repeating the same elongated habit at different scales and giving the specimen a highly structured, architectural composition. The black and charcoal grey shades are interrupted by irregular white zones and pale surface deposits, creating a striking natural pattern across the crystal faces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe secondary growth is especially impressive around the lower half, where multiple elongated points emerge closely together before separating into distinct terminations. One horizontal crystal extends outward from the base, giving the specimen a much more three dimensional profile than a simple vertical cluster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite having handled a great deal of Inner Mongolian quartz since acquiring this piece, I have still never seen another quite like it. The height, repeated parallel growth, striped colour pattern and unusually graphic surface contrast give it a very distinct identity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Liminal Stone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790287302788,"sku":"C-20","price":1249.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/1815\/4628\/files\/901A8305-3125-487F-B05C-8DE75DD16914.jpg?v=1789020008"},{"product_id":"smoky-quartz-4","title":"Smoky Quartz, Vietnam","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Smoky Quartz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eXuan Le, Thường Xuân District, Thanh Hóa Province, Vietnam\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 105mm x 42mm x 42mm (approx)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 229g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ex. Mala Haslem Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly strong smoky quartz from Xuan Le, with a clean, almost masculine profile that reveals far more complexity as one looks more closely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crystal has a broad, well proportioned form with sharply defined faces and a strong termination. Across the surface are multiple stepped growth features, smaller termination windows and deeply recessed trigonic markings, all sitting within a fine natural patina. Some faces appear almost matte and near black, while others are intensely glossy and reflective, creating a striking contrast as the crystal is turned in the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface detailing becomes increasingly interesting at close range, with etched features and subtle interruption patterns breaking up what initially appears to be a very clean form. Internal inclusions and lighter mineralised areas punctuate the darker quartz without overwhelming it, adding depth while preserving the overall simplicity of the crystal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base is beautifully healed and completes the form naturally. What I like most about this specimen is the contrast between its clean geometry and the amount of detail when one gets to know it. It looks restrained at first glance, but rewards closer study with a surprising amount of structure and surface complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Liminal Stone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790292676740,"sku":"C-22","price":649.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/1815\/4628\/files\/1EC7BFC5-9A78-4309-A847-88B1FFCD97A9.jpg?v=1789020942"},{"product_id":"smoky-quartz-with-hyalite-opal","title":"Smoky Quartz with Hyalite Opal, Namibia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Smoky Quartz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eErongo Mountains, Erongo Region, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNamibia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  166mm x 50mm x 50mm (approx)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 295g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ex. Mala Haslem Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an exceptional large smoky quartz from the Erongo Mountains, with an unusually deep, nearly black colour, with strong parallel growth and a complex gathering of penetrating crystals around the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark smoky quartz from Erongo is not inherently rare, and availability has varied considerably over the years, but specimens of this scale and quality remain much harder to encounter. At 166mm tall this crystal has substantial presence in hand, with a long clean profile, sharply defined termination and remarkably dense colour through the body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lower section is particularly complex. Several smaller crystals penetrate and intersect the main growth, creating a strongly developed cluster rather than a simple single point. This type of penetrating secondary growth is something we have seen far less often in later Erongo material, and it gives the specimen more structure and interest around the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross the surface there's a pale patch of hyalite opal fluoresces bright green under UV light. We've handled hundreds of Erongo smoky quartz specimens over the years, and this remains one of the bestexamples for its combination of size, colour, proportion, penetrating growth and overall complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Liminal Stone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790293430404,"sku":"C-23","price":1449.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/1815\/4628\/files\/2919E12E-0807-42E4-AA1F-3D68F3ED5EC0.jpg?v=1789028459"},{"product_id":"double-terminated-smoky-quartz-with-zircon","title":"Double Terminated Smoky Quartz with Zircon, Malawi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Smoky Quartz, Zircon, Feldspar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eMount Malosa, Zomba, Malawi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 196mm x 38mm x 33mm (approx)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 320g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ex. Mala Haslem Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis huge smoky quartz from Mount Malosa has an almost megalithic presence for the locality, a double terminated form and an unusually complex gathering of associated minerals and secondary growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 196mm long the crystal is substantial, with deep smoky colour, strong lustre and a long tapered profile. Both ends show developed natural growth, while the main body carries a combination of healed textures, penetrations, etching and irregular surface features that become increasingly complex when examined closely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScattered throughout the crystal are several small blocky to tabular mineral inclusions, some of which appear consistent with zircon, an association known from Mount Malosa material. Feldspar is also present, together with finer sprays and pale mineral growth through parts of the specimen. These associations are distributed through and across the quartz rather than being confined to a single area, giving the piece an extraordinary amount of detail from one end to the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe contrast between dense smoky quartz, clearer internal areas, embedded mineral growth and the numerous healed and etched surfaces makes the specimen difficult to fully capture in photographs. In hand, the scale and complexity are considerably more apparent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of those specimens where almost every section offers something different to explore. The combination of extraordinary size for the locality, near double termination, complex mineral associations and highly developed surface growth makes it one of the most unusual Mount Malosa quartz specimens we have handled.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Liminal Stone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790295232644,"sku":"C-24","price":1549.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/1815\/4628\/files\/FF5274E9-67D9-4B92-BF48-B0162C07CF34.jpg?v=1789033014"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.theliminalstone.com\/collections\/morion-rich-smoky-quartz.oembed","provider":"The Liminal Stone","version":"1.0","type":"link"}