Home > Western U.S. – August 22 > MS1243 Montmorillonite in Quartz
Montmorillonite in Quartz - Sold
- White Queen mine
- Pala district
- San Diego County
- California
- U.S.A.
- 6.2 by 4.1 by 3.8 cm – Small cabinet specimen (under 10 cm)
Montmorillonite is a clay mineral, not typically represented in mineral collections. The mineral name denotes the type occurrence at Montmorillon, France (Mauduyt, 1847). These specimens come from the a pegmatite in California better known for its fine morganite specimens. They are refreshing contrasts to a typical clay sample. Montmorillonite forms white to pink filaments and clouds in quartz, and imparts a pastel pink coloration different from that seen in rose quartz crystals. This is a good example, a floater, but unfortuantely with one chipped termination.