This is an incredible and dark, mysterious beta quartz cluster, 10.4 oz and 5.3” by 2.5” by 2.5” from Dal’negorsk, Russia. Most of the Russian beta quartz clusters I’ve seen have either been clear quartz or hedenbergite included … not so this one. This one has a lovely, faintly-blushed, pink hematite coloring! Explore with a loupe and you’ll see little rods of black ilvaite and russet hematite. There are two large, rod like crystals that are covered with hematite, so it’s impossible to guess what is inside that coating.The dominant quartz crystal is a large , well-glyphed beta quartz with zig-zag sides. Smaller beta quartz crystals are just over the terminal apex and below the base of the large one. Beta quartz is was formed under higher temperature and pressure than other quartz and is more highly ordered and has more symmetry than regular (alpha) quartz and over all it is less dense. In Russia, mining for these crystals is limited to only a few months a year, so these beauties are even more rare. What a treasure this unusual and wonderful jewel is!

Click on the link below to see additional pictures.

Mysterious Russian Beta Quartz Cluster with Hematite, Ilvaite