Talc ps. Quartz (circa 1800s classic)

Item Description

Sometimes Mother Nature provides us with amazing oddities. This specimen of talc after quartz is a prime example. Here, the softest mineral has replaced one of the hardest. The 2.0 cm tall, well formed, ivory colored, former quartz crystal rises vertically out of the matrix. This was probably collected in the 1800s or early 1900s, as most were. Most specimens I have seen are very jumbly - this piece appeals to me so much because you almost never see a nice single isolated crystal showing its full form, and the contrast here is striking. Rare and exotic anyhow, this specimen is actually AESTHETIC as well, which is something you do not see often for the find. These used to be called Steattite. However, it is something really much more rare and unusual than any single species name indicates. How on earth can this happen, to have something so hard replaced by talc...and they are eerily beuatiful as well! Valued $1500 as any good specimen of this old material has good value. Superb aesthetics for the size, as well. Ex Norbert Stoetzel collection.