Quartz

specimen number:
9506492

location:
La Gardette Mine, Bourg d'Oisans, Isere, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

description:

Glassy gem quality crystals of quartz measuring to 2.3 cm in length coming beautifully off matrix. In excellent condition. Very attractive for this French classic.

The La Gardette Mine, located near Bourg d'Oisans in the French Alps, is historically recognized as one of France's earliest documented gold and quartz mining operations. Mining and exploration at the site occurred intermittently from the early 18th century (with organized gallery excavation beginning around 1765) through various later revivals, though it has long since ceased operations. Geologically, the deposit is hosted within Variscan basement crystalline rocks (principally gneiss and granite), where hydrothermal activity filled Alpine tectonic fractures with quartz veins. These veins bear native gold alongside minor sulfides, and the locality is globally famous for producing exceptionally transparent, high-quality quartz crystals, including the classic La Gardette twinning habit.

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