Charlie Key Quartz Collections

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(Namibia: Brandberg, Gobobos, Oranje River):

While living primarily in Namibia and South Africa over the course of more than 30 years, dealer and collector Charlie Key assembled a huge collection of quartz specimens found at these now well-known locales in southern Namibia. He collected for both quality and visual impact, but also for breadth and diversity of habits; to build up an important collection representing the peak years of these localities. Even inexpensive examples are, generally, interesting and worth commenting on, adding depth to the whole. Despite the fact they are all the same species here, there is something interesting to say about nearly all pieces, in fact...the sheer range of forms and phantoms and colors represented makes these deposits, to my eye, one of the world's most important localities for quartz. You can look at hundreds of them, and not be bored! These collections were an award-winning exhibit at the 2007 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.

Future Updates: Mixed Brandberg and Gobobos, cntd.; and Oranje River quartz

100 specimens selected...

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bb43 - Smoky Quartz sceptre - $ 200
Gobobos, Namibia
small cabinet, 6.9 x 2.2 x 1.5 cm
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Smoky Quartz sceptre from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb43a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Smoky Quartz sceptre from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb43b.jpg]

This almost textbook scepter has a clear shaft and a smoky head. A very small doubly-terminated accents the side of one face. A faint blush of purple inside is a nice accent as well.

bb56 - Quartz with Amethyst - $ 600
Gobobos, Namibia
miniature, 5.6 x 4.3 x 2.9 cm
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Quartz with Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb56a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb56b.jpg]

A gorgeous, 3-D, splayed matrix group of light amethystine quartz. Note that while two of the crystals are show reverse scepter form at their tips (n either edge), the core crystals in the center show normal terminations - a neat contrast!

bb55 - Amethyst on Quartz - $ 650
Brandberg, Namibia
miniature, 4.7 x 3.2 x 2.5 cm
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Amethyst on Quartz from Brandberg, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb55a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Amethyst on Quartz from Brandberg, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb55b.jpg]
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Amethyst on Quartz from Brandberg, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb55c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Amethyst on Quartz from Brandberg, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb55d.jpg]

This amethyst specimen from the Brandberg mountains is a great example of amethyst but a very atypical example of quartz! Note the secpters to the lef tand right, on quartz cores. Yet, the middle crystal grades elegantly into the amethyst termination WIHTOUT creating a sceptre effeect. Bizzare, on the same specimen!? In any case this is a lovely, 360 degree group of dark purple amethyst on top of milky quartz, technicalities of uniqueness aside.

bb124 - Smoky Quartz (sceptred and hoppered) - $ 1750
Gobobos, Namibia
cabinet, 14.6 x 11.6 x 7.3 cm
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Smoky Quartz (sceptred and hoppered) from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb124a.jpg]
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Smoky Quartz (sceptred and hoppered) from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb124b.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Smoky Quartz (sceptred and hoppered) from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb124c.jpg]

A dramatic, complex, massive smoky quartz with glassy luster and a hint of amethyst on select faces of . This monster shows skeletal and hopper growth, and is much more dramatic in person. It is very 3-dimensional and complete all around!

bb51 - Quartz with Smoky Quartz and Amethyst phantoms - $ 750
Gobobos, Namibia
small cabinet, 6.3 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm
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Quartz with Smoky Quartz and Amethyst phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb51a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Smoky Quartz and Amethyst phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb51b.jpg]

Attractive, gemmy, crystal clear quartz with a fantastic MIXED smoky and amethyst phantom. Literally , of two phantoms one (upper) phantom seems to be amethyst in the middle and smoky at the edges! The lower phantom is a more total amethyst hue.

bb89 - Quartz (skeletal) - $ 850
Gobobos, Namibia
cabinet, 11.6 x 6.5 x 4.8 cm
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Quartz (skeletal) from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb89a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz (skeletal) from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb89b.jpg]
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Quartz (skeletal) from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb89c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz (skeletal) from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb89d.jpg]

Very large, extremely interesting smoky/amethyst quartz crystal with a very deep skeletal termination showing 5 deep holow clefts into the core of the crystal. A major specimen from the Gobobos, for this rare habit. Complete all around the termination, though incomplete on the bottom and lower rear.

BB24 - Quartz with Amethyst - $ 2000
Gobobos, Namibia
cabinet, 11.6 x 2.9 x 2.8 cm
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Quartz with Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb24a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb24b.jpg]

DEEPLY-hued, intense amethyst phantom within a 4 inch plus crystal! WOW, what an eye pleaser.

bb88 - Quartz with Hematite inclusions - $ 450
Gobobos, Namibia
small cabinet, 9.2 x 5.2 x 3.0 cm
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Quartz with Hematite inclusions from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb88a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Hematite inclusions from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb88b.jpg]

A large clear quartz, brilliantly lustrous! It has dramatic accent with all thos emiute red hematite inclusions at the bottom.

bb78 - Quartz with Amethyst & Smoky Phantoms - $ 650
Gobobos, Namibia
miniature, 5.6 x 1.9 x 1.2 cm
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Quartz with Amethyst & Smoky Phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb78a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Amethyst & Smoky Phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb78b.jpg]

Ultra lustrous, SUPERB, doubly-terminated quartz with separate discrete smoky and amethyst phantoms. As a bonus, there are two small moving water bubbles inside.

bb86 - Quartz var. Amethyst - $ 600
Gobobos, Namibia
cabinet, 14.5 x 3.1 x 2.3 cm
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Quartz var. Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb86a.jpg]

An elongated , grape-juice-colored, amethyst crystal with a sharp top and a rough bottom termination, makes it a doubly-terminated floater. The crystal is complete, except only contacted slightly on one rear side of the top term. This is a very special large crystal from this area with intense color, and priced right, I felt.

bb33 - Quartz with Amethyst and Smoky Quartz - $ 1000
Gobobos, Namibia
cabinet, 10.8 x 3.3 x 2.6 cm
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Quartz with Amethyst and Smoky Quartz from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb33a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Amethyst and Smoky Quartz from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb33b.jpg]

Here is another large, incredibly lustrous & glassy crystal with deep smoky amethyst coloration and a small water bubble towards the top. Add this smoky phantom and you’ve got yourself a winner. It is MUCH better, more appealing in its subtle blend of colors, in person.

bb71 - Quartz var. Amethyst - $ 2500
Gobobos, Namibia
small cabinet, 9.3 x 5.8 x 4.3 cm
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Quartz var. Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb71a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz var. Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb71b.jpg]

Delicious grape color just visually leaps out of this large amethyst crystal. The color is DEEPLY saturated and the lustre is high, making this one of the outright prettiest pieces here. The photos cannot show the internal , almost-red flashes. Must see to appreciate! Truly wonderful specimen of no fancy habit (actually unusual for this locale!) , but complete all around and eye-appealing

bb83 - Quartz var. Amethyst - $ 1250
Gobobos, Namibia
small cabinet, 7.9 x 5.8 x 2.2 cm
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Quartz var. Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb83a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz var. Amethyst from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb83b.jpg]

A floater made up of doubly-terminated amethyst with another amethyst sitting on it - look slike a bowtie! The reverse side has a few small prehnite balls. A lovely specimen with unique aesthetics!

bb80 - Quartz with Amethyst & Smoky Phantoms - $ 200
Gobobos, Namibia
small cabinet, 6.3 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm
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Quartz with Amethyst & Smoky Phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb80a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Amethyst & Smoky Phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb80b.jpg]

Cute, doubly-terminated amethyst/smoky-included quartz which has also a small water bubble within.

bb41 - Quartz with Smoky quartz and Amethyst phantoms - $ 650
Gobobos, Namibia
small cabinet, 6.3 x 2.4 x 1.5 cm
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Quartz with Smoky quartz and Amethyst phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb41a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Smoky quartz and Amethyst phantoms from Gobobos, Namibia [db_pics/pics/bb41b.jpg]

A stunning quartz with incredible lusrte AND clarity - and with sharp amethyst and smoky phantoms . Note the additional, interesting faces on the termination's right edge, which add more to separate this piece from so many others.


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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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