SOLD
JB17-1907
Quartz
Zigras Mine, near Jessieville, Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Cabinet, 14.7 x 10.5 x 8.6 cm
SOLD
This is quite simply one of the most stunningly sharp and gemmy quartzes I have seen come out of Arkansas since the 1980s, and it came from the new pocket being worked the last 2 years by James Zigras at his McEarl Ridge Mine, near Jessieville. I happened to visit with my kids in March 2017 when he pulled this out and bought it right from the mud to my hands, choosing to leave the slight iron oxide staining that it came out with (after cleaning with water only). These are usually cleaned with acid and the red stains removed. In this case, the iron at the base helps emphasize the clarity and shocking perfection of the crystal above, and I wanted to leave it as found. This will be remembered as the finest pocket of Quartz in years, and certainly the biggest. Many pieces are coming out - large ones. But, this is "collector size," and I fell in love with it immediately at the mine. I have been digging and visiting this region since I was 18, in 1990. I have seen a LOT of quartz! It is hard to shock me with this material, but this piece did exactly that. Photo by Joe Budd. Comes with a custom lucite base. Rotating video available for streaming online at https://goo.gl/NpRGkc