Smoky Quartz (Scuptural) with Albite inclusions (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

Not your typical Smoky Quartz from Diamantina, which often show the stepped "alligator" style form, as this piece is much more sculptural in my mind and shows a rich "cognac" color internally. Not only does the piece have multi-directional growth, giving it a three-dimenionsal form, but it's complete all the way around with notably WET luster and very sharp faces. When backlit, the color really comes out showing strong golden-brown to silvery hues. Even the habits vary of the specimen from simple hexagonal prisms to a lone tapered crystal with dozens of sharp prismatic and pyramidal faces on the underside. Lastly, there are some strange inclusions of tabular white Albite which are best seen in strong lighting, and actually are visible on the surface of crystals at the base of the specimen. Good quality all around, with only a few minor nicks, but very showy and just plan DIFFERENT for what it is. Valued at $700. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil").