Quartz (var: Smoky) (“phantom” group)

When it comes to mineral species, people tend to associate Bolivia with Vivianite, Cassiterite and Silver species, but there is a Gold mining operation in the north that has produced some of the finest "phantom" Quartz specimens from any locality I have seen. This specimen consists of dozens of sharp, gemmy, prismatic hexagonal crystals of Quartz (var: Smoky Quartz) that range in color from a very pale smoky color to a rich nearly "morion" black at the base, but the most impressive aspect of these crystals is the fact that they show very attractive, distinct internal "phantoms". The luster is mostly frosted, but most of the crystals are undamaged. The specimens are reminiscent of those from Lincoln County, New Mexico, and are certainly the best of what they are from Bolivia. This piece was mined in 2000, and I have only seen a scattered few of them on the market since that time. Specimen # BOL711B270