Quartz var. Herkimer Diamond

Item Description

A startlingly gemmy, sharp, transparent crystal of "Herkimer Diamond" quartz sits exposed atop a nicely trimmed pedestal of matrix. While common enough in smaller sizes, a 2-inch long gem crystal on matrix is a thing of rarity! It is complete and undamaged, 360 degrees. The crystal is just breathtakingly clear and sparkly. That extra size makes for extra volume, and therefore extra impact compared to smaller examples - in the photo you may think you are looking at a miniature but this is in reality a full cabinet specimen. It was one of the prides of the collection, as Fran grew up in the Midwest idolizing Ohio fluorites, New York quartz, and such things. He never found a better one that he could afford, that had such a clean look to it. Unless you literally know the collector and preparator of such things, please note that we must assume they are all repaired, and I consider this acceptable for the material: These quartz crystals are found in some of the hardest rock you can work with, and you cannot use any blasting material to excavate them - it is all old fashioned, hard, handwork with old fashioned tools and methods. The crystals, even when found in nature in the pocket, are often sitting loosely held in their pockets. So, it is completely expected that to get them out on matrix, one needs to at least stabilize the matrix for removal and trimming, or get it out first and then reset the crystal. We will label this as "probably repaired" for that reason. It really is dramatic - and we can say that having cumulatively seen thousands of them here,ourselves. This one stands above. Valued $5000-7500