Smoky Quartz "casts" after Laumontite

Item Description

This locality in the Cripple Creek District (purportedly in an old mine shaft) produced unique epimorphs or "casts" of Smoky Quartz and Chalcedony replacing Laumontite. The Smoky Quartz has a distinctive muted silvery-grey color, with matte luster and a somewhat stalactite-esque growth due to the way the Quartz overgrew the preexisting Laumontite. The lack of luster on the Quartz is most likely due to a micro coating of Chalcedony. The biggest problem that faced most of these specimens is serious damage, but this piece is in good condition overall compared to most from the find that were in terrible shape and did not display very well. This one is more than just a Quartz specimen. This is a unique discovery, and would make any Quartz or "cast" collector very happy. This piece was collected in 2010 by Quinton Cross and Ralph Buck. See http://www.mindat.org/photo-241718.html for a similar Quartz replacement specimen from Cripple Creek.