Description

This specimen hosts 5 species, the quartz being the most visually striking for display.

Although at first glance these quartz crystals may appear to be dark smoky quartz, they are dark dur to inclusions of dark blue needles of what I believe is riebeckite. These inclusions are beautiful with magnification and strong lighting. Please note, the riebeckite has not been tested – visually, this identification is consistent with riebeckite, and riebeckite is known to occur in the Zomba District as inclusions such as these, so I believe this is the correct identification.

The quartz crystals are accompanied by aegirine, small doubly-terminated crystals of zircon (ranging from yellowish and tan to almost colourless) and small (micro) hexagonal crystals of a REE-carbonate mineral, or a pseudomorph after such mineral.

In excellent condition overall – one damaged quartz tip (off to the right in the first photo) and minor chipping with magnification.

There is a lot going on on this specimen.