Quartz

specimen number:
2063610

location:
White Mtn. Wilderness, Sierra Blanca, New Mexico, USA

description:
A gorgeous sharp gem quality crystal of smoky quartz without matrix. Very slight micro-chipping present in a couple of areas, this still very good. The crystal exhibits neat phantom crystals. The glassy luster, along with the sharpness and size of the crystal, make this very fine. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Located within the Sierra Blanca volcanic complex in Lincoln County, New Mexico, the White Mountain Wilderness features rugged terrain shaped by Tertiary-age intrusive igneous stocks, granitic rocks, and extensive volcanic flows. Deep within cavities and open fractures of these granitic formations, hydrothermal fluids rich in silica crystallized over time to form exceptional mineral specimens, including notable dark smoky quartz crystals and phantom-zoned quartz. Historic prospecting in the region began during the late 1800s, primarily driven by gold, silver, and base metal exploration in nearby mining districts such as Nogal. Over time, mineral collectors specifically targeted high-altitude claims along Sierra Blanca, such as the Smokey Bear quartz claims, searching for lustrous, well-formed smoky quartz prisms often associated with feldspar. Today, much of the area resides within designated federally protected wilderness where surface-disturbing mineral collecting and commercial mining are prohibited to preserve the natural landscape.

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