Quartz / Amethyst (phantom crystals) (ex Charlie Key Collection)

Item Description

The Quartz specimens from the Goboboseb Mountains are among the finest crystals of this celebrated species in the world. Although thousands of specimens have come out since in the early 2000s, one thing that is hard to find is a good quality matrix display specimen. This piece is a wonderful full cabinet sized piece featuring a pair of razor-sharp, highly lustrous, prismatic, colorless Quartz crystals measuring up to 4.8 cm long surrounded by dozens of smaller single prisms aesthetically sitting on host rock matrix. The larger of the two Quartz crystals features gorgeous internal "phantoms" of rich purple Amethyst, creating a gorgeous effect. Additionally, there are tiny reflective inclusions of an iron oxide species (possibly Hematite or Lepidocrocite), many of which are a blood red hue when backlit. The piece sits beautifully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. There is a small bit of roughness on the termination of the main Quartz, but the piece is so showy and eye-catching, that you can forgive a small imperfection. Valued at $1500. Ex Charlie Key personal collection. Charlie is arguably the most sucessful dealer of the second half of the 20th century, along with being the namesake for TWO mineral species (Keyite and Ludlockite).