Quartz var. Smoky Quartz

Item Description

Sculptural and very large cluster of 2 diverging series of oriented tabular, double terminated, transparent gem Smoky "Alligator" Quartz. The piece is nearly a complete floater with only a thin contact area running along the underneath side where the collection sticker is placed. The Quartz is highlighted by its varying saturation of smoky color and supreme glassy luster. The faces are very sharp with well defined edges exhibiting striking stepped "scale"-like growth features giving the appearance of "Alligator" scales and hence the name. The piece is in near-pristine condition with the exception of a couple of termination nicks. The "pistol" shaped specimen is a gemmy and lustrous 360 degree beautiful natural oddity. The center tabular "barrel" crystal measures 6.3 x 7.1 x 3.1 cm. Taking a quick look with a loupe, there are at least 3 fluid inclusions or enhydos across the piece and one can also see possible clay trapped between the two DT Quartz crystal series. Both cool attributes that add to the desirability. Locals called these Alligator quartz long ago, and the name stuck. But this one, it almost actually does look like an alligator from one angle! Overall a visually stimulating Smoky Quartz specimen that has exceptional quality and an impressive size from Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Ex. Paul Zerfass Collection #116.