Minerals: Quartz, Hematite
Locality: Minas Gerais, Brazil
Dimensions: 180mm x 100mm x 65mm (approx)
Weight: 433g
Provenance: ex. Mala Haslem Collection

Here's an unusually sculptural quartz specimen from Minas Gerais, with a vivid orange hematite coating, extensive secondary growth and an almost double terminated form.

The dominant crystal has a healed, elestial style termination at the top, with similarly complex growth continuing through the base. Across the surface, the hematite presents in an unusually bright orange rather than the deeper red colouring more commonly associated with iron coated quartz. A fine sugary druse sits over parts of the specimen, adding another layer of texture across the larger crystal and the dense aggregation of smaller points surrounding it.

The reverse is considerably clearer, revealing more of the underlying quartz and creating a strong contrast with the heavily coated front. Numerous secondary crystals rise around the central form, producing a very three dimensional composition with a great deal of depth and movement between the larger and smaller growths.

At 180mm tall, the specimen has considerable presence in hand. The proportions, vivid colour and combination of healed terminations, drusy growth and dense crystal aggregation make it one of those pieces that draws attention immediately. When people have viewed my collection in person, this has very often been one of the first specimens they notice and pick up.