Quartz

specimen number:
2062564

location:
Costilla area, Taos Co., New Mexico, USA

description:
Glassy gemmy crystals of smoky quartz, the largest measuring to 3.2 cm in size, most under 1.0 cm, covering the top of matrix. This is in good condition. Interesting for an unusual locality. Collected in 2011. The specimen comes with a previous collection label from Ray DeMark.

The Costilla area in Taos County, New Mexico, is anchored geographically by the Big Costilla horst, a late Cenozoic uplift of ancient Precambrian basement rocks flanked by younger Cenozoic volcanic fields and sedimentary basins associated with the Rio Grande rift. The local geology features Cenozoic igneous intrusions cutting through older crystalline rocks. These intrusive events created favorable hydrothermal environments and miarolitic cavities, which produce well-formed smoky quartz crystals along the western slopes of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.