The Crystal Circle
Specimen: Standard Gallery: Standard
Olmiite on matrix
Olmiite on matrix
N Chwanning II Mine, Kuruman, Republic of South Africa
Tourmaline Var. Elbaite
Tourmaline Var. Elbaite
Kunar Province, Afganistan
Heulandite with Stilbite
Heulandite with Stilbite
Jalgon, Maharashtra State, India
Acanthite
Acanthite
Imiter, Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Beryl var. Aquamarine (etched)
Beryl var. Aquamarine (etched)
Itatia Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Corundum var. Sapphire
Corundum var. Sapphire
Potanino Mine, Ilmen Mountains, Russia
Quartz with 4-phase petroleum inclusions

Quartz with 4-phase petroleum inclusions

sold
Locality
Zhob Baluchistan, Pakistan
Minerals
Quartz
Dimensions
2.7 x 2.6 x 2.3 cm
Size class
Thumbnail
SID
QUARTZ41

This is a good example of this uncommon form of Quartz. It is a four phase inclusion in a double terminated Quartz crystal found in central Pakistan within the last year. It is highly fluorescent under both short wave and long wave (LW pictured). The long wave makes the petroleum fluoresce yellow, the short wave brings out the more reds and blues.  There is one prominent moving bubble in the center of the crystal that moves freely. The gas bubble formed when the the Quartz cools after forming, the petroleum contracts more than the Quartz because it is less dense, it pulls a vacume within the fluid thus creating a "gas" bubble.  The four phases are: the gas bubble trapped in the petroleum, the petroleum itself, a darker brown previously organic material, and black carbon inclusions. I learned this from an insightful geologist who specializes in Quartz inclusions, whom I met at the Tucson Main show in 2010. This one is a tabulr crystal that is single terminated, although it is not broken (the bottom is rehealed). It has a very tiny chip or two along one edge, overall in good condition, this piece is a "cathedral-like" quartz, with multiple terminations. Also a good example of the brown (ex-organic) inclusion next to the pastel yellow petroleum inclusion. It weighs 15 grams.

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