Smoky Quartz with Orthoclase (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

A classic association piece of this classic material from one of the most well known localities in Italy. A few sharp and lustrous, translucent, smoky colored Quartz crystals are mixed with cream colored (speckled with reddish-brown Hematite) Orthoclase crystals. The largest Orthoclase measures 1.3 cm. Obviously the twinning habit for Feldspar was so prominent from Baveno, that it became synonymous with the locality, though I don't see any twins on this piece. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#10858). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record). A beautiful and attractive old-timer from this famous locale.