earthstory: Starburst quartzThe inclusions of grey metallic…



earthstory:

Starburst quartz

The inclusions of grey metallic haematite (an iron oxide, see http://tinyurl.com/nngtpnh) are overgrown with needles of rutile (a titanium oxide) in a gemmy quartz. The planes of rutile needles are oriented with the crystallographic growth of the quartz to produce a hexagonal pattern, revealed to great advantage in this freeform carved gem.

Loz

Image credit: Lawrence Stoller

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