Red quartz cluster
Red quartz cluster
Locale: Morocco
Approx dimensions: 2.5 x 2 x 1", longest crystal 5.5 cm
Approx weight: 88g
Also known as hematite or ferruginous (iron-bearing) quartz, this unusual red quartz cluster gets its color from oxidized hematite. Hematite can manifest in multiple ways: as a color-causing agent in the quartz creating tones of red, orange, black, and brown; growing small red or black spots inside the quartz; or growing as a matte layer on the surface of the quartz.
This quartz initially was colorless, but a change occurred during the growth process that introduced hematite inclusions, making the newer growth red-brown. Where the surface is broken, you can see a clear interior bordered by a layer of brick-red tinted quartz.
The main quartz point is double terminated, with unusual termination at the base (shown in picture 3). This point has an interesting surface texture that appears to have grown higher is some areas and is partially coated in hematite-included quartz druzy in the inverted areas. It is nestled in a cluster of irregular quartz pieces coated in druzy.