Ferruginous quartz cluster

Ferruginous quartz clusterLocale: Morocco Approx dimensions: 4. 5 x 3 x 3", longest crystal 5. 5 cm Approx weight: 627g 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

Locale: Morocco

Approx dimensions: 4.5 x 3 x 3", longest crystal 5.5 cm

Approx weight: 627g

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 the larger crystals on this specimen have enough transparency they may technically be "hematitic" rather than ferruginous. The points are coated on one side with a fine glittering dark-red druzy spotted with black spheres of hematite. The two larger points are tipped with bubbly black hematite.

At first glance this piece is quite messy appearing, but it has a lot of fascinating details. Broken quartz crystals along the side of the piece have left a pattern of hexagons in red chalcedony of the base. An especially odd structure near the center of the specimen appears like a hollowed out quartz tip filled to the rim with red druzy, with small quartz crystals sprinkle on top like an odd little bowl of cereal.