• A side-view of the specimen, with points angled up and out from the middle of the piece
  • A large red quartz cluster with points angled out in different directions. This side of the piece is largely coated with an opaque bumpy matte red mineral.
  • Side-view of the specimen, with the longest points on the right side and the left side more covered with partial crystals and lumpy mineral overgrowth.
  • The back of the specimen, with the largest quartz points clear of lumpy overgrowth but coated in a red layer with low luster and good horizontal striations down the sides.
  • Another angle of the large points on the end of the specimen, a lighter orange-red color with one large point on the left and on the right a trio of points lined up as one flat crystal.
  • The underside of the specimen, a rough mass of whitish quartz, with patches of yellow.
  • Detail of a small section on the back of the piece that is cracked and in danger of breaking
  • Detail of broken crystals in the middle of the cluster, revealing they are colorless inside with a layer of red coating the outside.
  • Detail of the largest crystal cluster, three parallel points forming a wide flat crystal. The surface is a dull red brown, with darker spots.
  • Detail of quartz points in the cluster, with one side coated in the bumpy opaque overgrowth, which is matte with a slight glitter like sand. The bare side is red quartz with tones of orange and yellow in laces.
  • The specimen in indoor lighting, looking more brown than red, but with the lumpy overgrowth looking more sandy and slightly glittery
  • Scale image of the specimen on a measuring mat, measuring about four inches wide and five and a half inches long with some of the larger crystals protruding to seven inches.
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Large ferruginous quartz cluster

Large ferruginous quartz cluster

$65.00 USD
$65.00 USD
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Locale: Morocco

Approx dimensions: 5.5 x 4 x 2.5", longest crystal 6 cm

Approx weight: 772g

 

Known as red or ferruginous (iron-bearing) quartz, this unusual variety of quartz gets its color from iron oxides, typically hematite. The quartz in this specimen initially grew colorless; broken crystals along the edge reveal the quartz crystals have a clear core bordered by a thin top layer of brick-red quartz. A change occurred during the growth process that introduced fine iron oxide inclusions that give the top layer deep color and a fairly matte luster.

Ferruginous quartz is typically fairly opaque due to the density of iron oxide inclusions, but some of the larger crystals on this specimen have decent translucency with backlighting. An amorphous grainy overgrowth coats one side of the specimen, and has a slight glitter like sand.

This large cluster sits well at an angle as a display piece with several large points splaying up and out of one end.

** Significant crack along the edge detailed in image 8 and will be marked on the specimen; the piece would not lose any key features without it, but use caution placing pressure on that section as it is liable to pop off!

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