TUC17A-27
Quartz ps. after Calcite
Black Rock Mine, near Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa
Miniature, 4.5 x 3.1 x 2.4 cm
Ex. American Museum of Natural History
SOLD
For some reason, a number of really unusual cast pseudomorphs have come my way recently. This is another one, featuirng gorgeous sparkling quartz, cast on and coating calcites that are now vanished and gone by natural processes within the pocket. The fact that such fragile hollow casts can survive the earth for millions of years (tens of millions!), and the mining, and 40 years out of the ground since the heyday of this mine, shocks me continually. This sparkling jewel of quartz has a place in any quartz or African collection, and just stands out to my eye because of the sparkle. Also, you do not expect to see the shape and symmetry, from this mine. In fact, I cannot recall seeing quartz specimens at all from here, and it must be quite rare in the deposit. All in all, a unique specimen and with good history (AMNH Museum provenance and label included).