Smoky Quartz and Spessartine on Microcline ex Jack Halpern

Item Description

We have seen literally thousands of specimens of smoky quartz with spessartine garnet from this older location in China, which was most productive in the early 2000s, and now is closed (modern material actually comes from a similar deposit, located to the north); however this is somethign special for the perfection and the stark contrasts of geometry and color. It just, stands out from the rest. It is also impressive and large, 1426 grams immediately catching the eye in a case. The smoky quartz crystals are RAZOR sharp and perfect, both being approximately 4 x 3 x 2.5 cm and exposed standing proudly from the white crystallized feldspar matrix. The spessartine garnet crystals are small but gemmy, and drape the sharp cubist feldspars with a carpet of orange sparkle that softens the shapes and contrasts with both feldspar and the quartz. Overall, it is just special and different from others of its type...as are so many of Jack's treasures selected with his keen eye for beauty above all else! The specimen is 360 degrees, and the tips of the smoky quartzes are pefect all around. With strong backlighting, they are translucent but with moderate room lighting, they are sleek and jet black. Again, the contrasts are what make the piece remarkable to the eye - it is not particularly great for any of the three species on their own merit, but somehow the combination is amazing. And, unique.