Goethite on Quartz with Baryte

Item Description

Sometimes the combination of two minerals that are unremarkable yields a piece of art, a style that did not exist before or elsewhere, and makes a find memorable. This is a classic for this Moroccan locality, with highly lustrous, radiating sprays of wet-looking black, Goethite crystals on contrasting colorless to whitish Quartz. A large, showy, radial divergent spray of Goethite crystals is front-and-center on this attractive piece from this lesser-known locality at Amerzgane. The big Goethite hemisphere is composed of spikey, acicular prismatic Goethite crystals that nicely accents a slightly concave vug lined with a coarse druse of sparkly, colorless to off-white Quartz crystals dominated by their terminations. The contrast between the Goethite and the Quartz is dramatic. There is even a small rosette of pinkish, bladed Baryte to the lower right of the piece for added interest. A well-balanced and attractive piece! This was in the home display case of Dr. Pohl's favorite Moroccan minerals, perhaps 200 specimens selected from thousands of pieces. It is dramatic, visually impactful, and extremely fine in quality. Valued $3500-4500.