{"product_id":"quartz-with-hematite","title":"Quartz with Hematite, Orange River","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quartz, Hematite\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\"\u003eOrange River, Southern Africa\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 72mm x 45mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 299g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e ex. Mala Haslem Collection\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHere is an exceptional hematite coated quartz from the Namibian side of the Orange River, one of the world’s classic localities for richly coloured red quartz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrange River is one of the world's classic localities for hematite included and hematite coated quartz, particularly the intensely red material for which the area has become so well known. Hematite commonly occurs within quartz from both sides of the river, sometimes as internal phantoms and sometimes as thin later coatings over earlier crystal growth. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis specimen shows that relationship especially clearly. The dominant crystal carries a dense red hematite layer beneath a later skin of clear quartz, producing an unusually rich, glossy surface with remarkable depth of colour. The final clear quartz layer is thin enough for the hematite beneath to remain vivid, while adding a bright vitreous lustre across the crystal faces. This style of red coating beneath a later quartz generation is well documented from Orange River material. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this piece particularly striking is the contrast across the specimen. One side preserves the glossy red quartz almost uninterrupted, while the opposite side is covered by a rougher pale mineral association with a much more granular, irregular surface. Based on known Orange River associations, calcite or albite are both plausible possibilities, and both are recorded with quartz and hematite from the locality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crystal itself is substantial, with a strong broad termination and multiple smaller crystals growing around the base and flanks. Fine surface growth, partial overgrowth and contrasting matte areas create a highly three dimensional specimen, while the broad exposed faces retain strong lustre beneath the hematite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the Orange River crystals we've handled with this half exposed, half capped style of hematite growth, this is by far the largest and most complete example we've seen by a large margin. The combination of size, rich red colour, lustre and preservation makes it a particularly strong expression of one of the locality's most recognisable quartz habits.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Liminal Stone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52790163177604,"sku":"C-14","price":1749.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1020\/1815\/4628\/files\/5B5E3FE5-74D7-448A-B4EF-C8857917E67D.jpg?v=1789018169","url":"https:\/\/www.theliminalstone.com\/products\/quartz-with-hematite","provider":"The Liminal Stone","version":"1.0","type":"link"}