Quartz ('Fadens')

Item Description

When it comes to well-known mineral species, even people who aren't familiar with minerals have heard of Quartz. It is certainly one of the most popular and diverse species out there. The wide range of colors, habits, morphologies and localities make it one of the most significant minerals in the world. Experienced collectors will know that some of the most distinctive Quartz specimens are the famous "Faden" groups found in Alpine and "Alpine"-type deposits. The word "Faden" comes from the German word for string, and these specimens get their name for the string or thread like inclusions that float inside the crystals. I've been told that sometimes the "Fadens" inside these crystals are actually scars from healed internal stress fractures as the crystals were pulled ever so slightly underground during formation, but others have said that they are tiny inclusions of a fibrous minerals like "Byssolite". This specimen is a superb, classic, small cabinet "Faden" Quartz from Pakistan, featuring a few "Faden" groups running parallel to one another. The specimen is filled with dozens of razor-sharp, highly lustrous, white / colorless Quartz crystals on all sides, and no matrix. You can see there are many GEM QUALITY crystals of Quartz all over the piece, and many of them are actually doubly-termianted, creating a highly three-dimensional and eye-catching display specimen. The largest individual Quartz crystal measures 3.1 cm long. Excellent condition overall, with very little damage. Hard to photograph, and certainly best viewed in person (the video we've included does help to illustrate the quality). Something like this would be highly prized if it was found in the European Alps. In recent years, it appears that these Pakistani pieces are disappearing from the market, and it's a shame because I think they are underappreciated for what they are. Priced in the inventory at $750 for the quality and size.