PALA-148
Quartz Included By Montmorillonite
White Queen Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA
Large Cabinet, 24.5 x 18.7 x 5.7 cm
Ex. William (Bill) Larson
SOLD
Going together with item PALA-149 as a set, this is a beautiful cluster of unusually large quartz crystals, richly included with the pink mineral montmorillonite. The White Queen is as well known for this combination, as for its famous morganites. This specimen is a level of magnitude higher than most others, in that it is large, beautiful, and complete. It was sawed down the middle, and each half mounted so they could be displayed to show the inclusions and the form to maximal visual effect. The reverse sides are complete, by the way, showing the outer milky quartz. Each weighs about 7 pounds. It is incredible to me that this specimen came out in one piece and was not repaired. Amongst many others in the Pala collection, this was the finest large example (and remains the finest I know of)