Quartz with Rutile inclusions (ex Harold Urish Collection)

Item Description

This specimen comes to me from the collection of Harold Urish, whose handwritten label on the base of the box in which it is mounted states that he obtained it in trade on a trip to Alaska in August of 1988. The label also says that it is a Quartz specimen featuring inclusions of "Tourmaline", but based upon the metallic reddish-brown appearance, my educated guess is that these inclusions are in fact Rutile. It looks very similar to Quartz / Rutile specimens that I've seen from the famous Hohe Tauern in Austria. The Quartz crystals have a somewhat smoky color, but with very sharp and lustrous faces, along with excellent gemminess in areas. The piece is not 100% perfect, but it is an unusual reference piece from a locality that I cannot find listed in any book, magazine or online reference. Enjoy!