Description
Detailed Description
An exceptional-quality specimen of amethyst with a “cactus quartz” growth habit. The second-generation crystals are large enough that they are not a sparkling druze, rather, as displayed they are visibly individual quartz crystals with nice proportion to the larger first-generation crystals.
The first-generation crystals are a “starburst”-style of amethyst, with dark colour centres at the very tips of the terminations and, from above, appearing to radiate a bit along the edges. Upon close examination, these first-generation crystals have lighter phantoms inside. Both generations of quartz are amethystine, with a smoky-amethyst colour.
In excellent condition, no damage. Stands perfectly for display in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. This is a gorgeous piece from the John S. White quartz collection.
About John S. White (click here)
About Cactus Quartz
Cactus quartz crystals are primary quartz crystals the prism faces of which (but not tops of the terminal, pyramidal faces) are covered with a second generation of smaller crystals. It has also been called “pineapple quartz” and marketed by some as “spirit quartz”. The second generation quartz crystals typically point outward from the first generation crystals upon which they grew, but there is no specific crystallographic orientation in cactus quartz – for example, they do not grow outwards at 90 degrees (or any other specific angle) from the primary quartz.
