Rare Rock Crystal - Double Terminated with 8-fold Double Terminated Point and Wooden Base

An exceptional double-terminated rock crystal from Zambia. Both ends are crystallized; at the apex, the crystal features a rare eight-fold double-terminated configuration. The piece stands on a handcrafted wooden base.

Rock crystal is the purest variety of quartz, crystallizing trigonally in classic six-sided columns with pyramidal terminations. Double-terminated crystals with points crystallized at both ends are rare. Most quartz columns are firmly attached to the cavity wall at one end.

An eight-fold double-terminated configuration at the apex is a gemologically classified phenomenon. It indicates special cavity conditions: an undisturbed free position of the main crystal and a late micro-crystallization phase. During this phase, additional small double-terminated crystals grew on the pyramidal face.

Zambian rock crystal occurrences from the Karoo Basin occasionally yield such configurations. The wooden base is designed for gallery presentation and provides a stable standing position for the otherwise wobbly piece.

A collector's item with a mineralogical detail phenomenon that is classified in advanced quartz collections.