Hedenbergite quartz point with sprouting growth and sugary quartz crystals

Hedenbergite quartz point with sprouting growth and sugary quartz crystalsLocale: HuangGangLiang mining district, Inner Mongolia, China Approx point length: 3" Approx weight: 64g These quartz points are from HuangGangLiang, and commonly called Mongolian or Inner Mongolian quartz. When the primary inclusion is hedenbergite, enough to give the quartz a greenish tint, it is more appropriately called hedenbergite quartz. This isn't your typically shiny quartz crystal; the points have a matte luster with a sheen effect,

Locale: HuangGangLiang mining district, Inner Mongolia, China

Approx point length: 3"

Approx weight: 64g

These quartz points are from HuangGangLiang, and commonly called Mongolian or Inner Mongolian quartz. When the primary inclusion is hedenbergite, enough to give the quartz a greenish tint, it is more appropriately called hedenbergite quartz. 

This isn't your typically shiny quartz crystal; the points have a matte luster with a sheen effect, producing a ghostly appearance. Broken ends reveal the first generation of growth was an icy clear colorless quartz. A second generation of growth occurred, depositing a layer of cloudy hedenbergite-included quartz. Hedenbergite is often green-to-olive-brown in color, and gives the quartz a dull green-ish gray hue. Some hedenbergite quartz like one this produce an odd grainy effect just under the surface at the tip. Inclusions make the point near-opaque with a gradient to translucent at the base.

The cluster of whitish rice-like crystals on the point is quartz. The piece is sprinkled with both the small quartz crystals and and imprints of crystals that have dissolved. There are also sprouting growth forms on the surface. Looking inside the clear quartz of the broken end, one can see fine needle-like growth that is difficult to capture on camera.

The small dark spheres included inside the crystal and dotting the surface may be goethite or hedenbergite, but on other specimens they have a near-metallic luster resembling pyrite. The spots also may simply be iron or chlorite!