FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Elise]

Jordi admonished me for not being more active on the FMF lately, so I thought I would start a new thread on one of my favorite topics, Quartz, Natural and Synthetic. There were so many amazing displays at the 2015 TGMS, especially the cases devoted to the theme of quartz. Earlier in the previous week I had purchased several synthetic quartz specimens for my study collection and was later delighted to see the display case devoted to the same crystals! The exhibitors were Vlad and Mila Klipov, Quartz Grown by R&D XTALS, Inc, Cleveland, Ohio. Their display was very informative and also drew attention to the use of the technology to repair broken specimens -- not a new thing, but the first I've been able to see in person which was just great! And a note in the case announced that there is to be an article published in Rocks & Minerals regarding these specimens - I can't wait!

Matt already called attention to this in the Tucson Show thread; these are links to the discussion which ensued and which I hope we might continue with here (also don't miss his images of the other quartz displays and of course The Party pictures):
https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?p=43931&highlight=#43931
and follow-up from Jamison Brizendine:
https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?p=43944&highlight=#43944
and https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?p=43952&highlight=#43952

I wanted to start this thread with a group of 3 specimens which I bought from the daughter of Luiz Menezes - I was so happy to find some nice specimens to remember him by. They will show some contrast to the synthetic quartz specimens - I find both equally collectible and educational.

Cheers!
Elise

[Elise]

This is one of the synthetic quartz clusters which I was very happy to acquire (views of both sides)

[Elise]

The small crystal resting in the well of a water-worn rock is a Japan-law twin synthetic quartz -- I showed it to John S. White and he commented, but I can't quote - maybe some doubt? I include a picture of the twinned specimens in the display case and a natural Japan-law twin which I purchased from our Alfredo Petrov. Note the green on the large specimen in the display - I would have liked to acquire one of these, but could not afford to.

[Elise]

This is a single crystal synthetic quartz showing Dauphiné Law twinning. Note the wire and seed plate, as well as the c face at top of crystal.

[Elise]

These "sea urchin" clusters really created quite a stir - they are beautiful! This one has two second generation growth large single crystals. I understand that these take many months to grow. I can't wait to hear more about the growth process - I love quartz in any form - natural or synthetic, it's all amazing!

Cheers!
Elise

[Elise]

One last image from the display - this is the repaired amethyst cluster. I find the process very, very interesting to finally see.

Again, see an in-depth explanation from Jamison Brizendine here:
https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?p=43944&highlight=#43944

and a quote from later posting in that thread:

[Don Lum]

Elise,

These are fascinating crystals. Thanks for posting.

I enjoyed our visits in Tucson.

Don

[Jesse Fisher]

I, too, ran across Vlad (R&D XTALS) and was fascinated with some of the things he was able to grow. Here is a photo of a twinned quartz that I picked up (about 4 cm across). Not a Japan-Law, but at a more acute angle, perhaps on the rhombohedron. He said he had only seen this once or twice in nature. I'm not an expert on twinning in quartz, so perhaps others can say more about this.

I was also impressed by the quartz cluster that had a re-grown tip. A lot of people seemed fearful that this will usher in a new level of fakery in the mineral specimen trade. I think the time and expense involved in doing something like this would place serious limits on it becoming a widespread practice, however.

Cheers,
Jesse

[Elise]

Jesse - what a stunning photograph! I didn't have much time to image the specimens this afternoon, but even so could quickly tell it was going to take a lot of reflectors and coaxing of the light to do well -- and a lot more time. You nailed it.

I was a bit perplexed by all the comments about "fakery" etc - I spent a lot of time at the display and heard similar fears, also expressed by others later. I have several specimens produced 40-50 years ago in Russia - this is nothing new. These new specimens and the repaired crystal are just a gorgeous examples of a fascinating technology.

Cheers!
Elise

[Jesse Fisher]

Actually, I think the most time-consuming part of the process was getting the specimen out of the plastic capsule it was mounted in without damage. The specimen cooperated nicely for the photo with only a few reflectors.

I also got one of those "sea urchin" clusters but am afraid of removing it for fear of damage. Amazing things, however!

[Dale Hallmark]

In general I do not want man made minerals but I certainly don't exclude them and in most cases don't consider them fakes. I am an avid coin collector so I have a pre-conceived notion of what a fake is. Quite a few fake turquoise and opal exists that really are fakes.

I also have a couple man made jewels for samples that are pretty neat. They are the mineral they purport to be but are man made.

If I ever go for a Bismuth sample (and I eventually will) it WILL certainly be a man made sample. For a clear Quartz crystal cluster...I could go either way.

Nice samples!

Dale

[Pete Richards]

I have a quartz specimen that I treasure, made by Vlad. I treasure it because its basic symmetry is all wrong - it is a cube! Actually, I'm sure the symmetry is all right (alright?) because it is controlled by the structure. But the way the seed was cut allowed it to develop into a cube. Fun!

[Mark Ost]

The synthetic quartz is quite spectacular. I see no problem as long as they are labeled as such. Frankly I would be happy to have such nice work and would value it no less, perhaps a bit more perchance.

[Pete Richards]

[bob kerr]

thought I'd add some Vlad/Milla photos of their booth in the JGM tent. interesting xls - all he needs to do now is add some color (inconsistently within a specimen) and it's be a winner.

a few booths down was a Colombian quartz dealer selling specimens by the Kg. this has to be the most lustrous, sharpest and most gemmy natural quartz there is.

bob