Quartz

specimen number:
2242053

location:
Mt. Ida, Montgomery Co., Arkansas, USA

description:
Colorless gemmy aesthetically arranged thin elongated crystals of terminated quartz coming off matrix. All of the prominent crystals are in good condition. One damaged crystal is present near the matrix. This shows nicely all around. This is somewhat unusual and different when compared to other quartz from Arkansas. The quality is very good.

The Mt. Ida area, situated in Montgomery County, Arkansas, is widely recognized as the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World. Geologically, the region lies within the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, where intense tectonic activity during the late Paleozoic era created extensive fracture zones in the local sandstones and shales. These fissures were subsequently filled by silica-rich hydrothermal fluids that crystallized into the exceptionally clear, prismatic rock crystal quartz for which the area is famous. Historically, commercial mining and quarrying for quartz in the Mt. Ida district expanded significantly in the early 20th century, particularly as the demand for high-quality piezoelectric quartz grew during the 1940s. While industrial needs have evolved, the area has remained a primary global source for collector-grade specimens and metaphysical crystals throughout the late 1900s and into the 21st century. Today, the local economy continues to be driven by numerous private and public fee-dig mines, such as the Wegner and Miller Mountain operations, which allow enthusiasts to extract crystals directly from the earth through 2026.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.