Quartz with Sphalerite

specimen number:
2072124

location:
Huanggang Mines, Inner Mongolia, China

description:
Lustrous green scepter crystals of quartz measuring to 3.5 cm in height coming off matrix with crystallized sphalerite. In good condition. The green color is due to inclusions of either hedenbergite or actinolite. Shows nicely all around.

The Huanggang Mine complex, located in the Hexigten Banner of Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China, is an immense skarn deposit discovered in the late 20th century. Geologically, the site formed during the Mesozoic Era when granitic intrusions came into contact with Permian-aged limestone and marble. This contact metamorphism created a diverse mineralogical environment rich in iron, tin, and zinc. The mine is world-famous for its aesthetic specimens of hedenbergite, ilvaite, and particularly its unique green quartz. The distinct green coloration in the quartz from Huanggang is caused by microscopic inclusions of hedenbergite or actinolite-tremolite needles trapped within the silica structure during crystal growth. These inclusions act as a natural pigment, ranging from a pale olive to a deep forest green. Collecting history at Huanggang saw a massive international boom between 2010 and 2015, as miners uncovered vast pockets of "prase" quartz and exceptional borate minerals. While industrial mining for iron and tin remains the primary focus, the locality continues to be a premier source for high-quality, forest-green quartz clusters that are highly prized by mineral collectors for their sharp, tapering crystal habits.

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