Detailed information
Species
Quartz, var. Smoky
Dimensions
120 x 50 x 47
mm
Weight
440 g
Locality
St. Gotthard Massif Leventina, Ticino (Tessin) Switzerland
Condition
No recorded repairs
A fine, large, individual prismatic Smoky Quartz crystal from the St. Gotthard Massif in Switzerland. The European Alps are famous for Smoky Quartz crystals, found in 'Alpine-Type' veins often in the high mountains. The St. Gotthard Massif in Switzerland is one of the most important areas for significant finds. Unusually, this prismatic crystal is a 'floater' with no point of attachment - complete all round. The base of the crystal is a complex, multi-terminated surface, while the upper termination is a single pyramidal point, but with the preferential development of certain crystal faces. At 12 cm long the crystal is a great size - substantial enough to be dramatic. Colourwise, the crystal is very dark brown and not as glassy as some Alpine quartzes, but it is much paler when backlit.