Detailed information
Species
Quartz, var. Rock Crystal
Dimensions
115 x 75 x 55
mm
Weight
436 g
Locality
Bourg d'Oisans Isère, Rhône-Alpes France
Condition
No recorded repairs
Custom Stand
Yes - custom stand included
Bourg d'Oisans in Isère, Rhône-Alpes, France was one of the premier mineral producing areas of Europe during the late 18th century, with the discovery of Axinite, Prehnite, Anatase and of course amazing Quartz crystals. The Quartz crystals from this area are striking in their appearance, forming long, slender, prismatic crystals with unusual terminations. This cabinet specimen displays dramatic, long freestanding 'needle', or pencil-like Rock Crystal crystals, reaching over 5.5 cm in length, on a bed of Milky Quartz veinstone. The crystals are perfectly transparent and the prism faces display subtle horizonal growth lines and complex terminations, including the "Dauphine" habit - named after this region in France - where one pyramidal terminal crystal face is much elongated. The widest tall crystal at the 'back' of the specimen is missing the rear of its termination, where it had grown attached to another crystal, but from the front there are at least seven pristine crystals on display and the one just mentioned at the back actually displays well from the front. One of the longer crystals in the centre displays the most wonderful form - simply stunning. A beautiful French, and European classic and comes with its own purpose made stand.