Quartz

specimen number:
8701012

location:
Liliana Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico

description:
An attractive grouping of colorless and gemmy scepter quartz crystals. In good condition all around.

The Lilliana Mine, located in the San Antonio el Bravo area of Chihuahua, Mexico, is a relatively small and specialized operation renowned for its unique quartz scepters. Geologically, the deposit consists of hydrothermal veins hosted within volcanic rocks, where localized pockets allowed for the growth of free-standing quartz crystals. These specimens are characterized by a distinct growth habit where a younger crystal (the head) forms over the termination of an older, slender quartz prism (the stem), often featuring internal phantoms and vibrant amethyst or smoky coloration. Historically, mining and quarrying at the Lilliana Mine began in the late 1990s and has continued intermittently on a small scale, primarily targeting mineral specimens rather than industrial metals. The peak of its activity occurred in the early 2000s, during which time it produced some of the most sought-after quartz scepters in North America, often compared to the famous Guerrero and Veracruz localities. While not a major industrial producer, the mine remains a significant reference point for collectors and researchers studying the paragenesis of sceptered quartz in the Mexican volcanic provinces

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