Home > Rock Forming Minerals – June 20 > MS1358 Talc after Quartz

Talc after Quartz - Sold


Talc is a magnesium silicate mineral. It comprises the lowest seat on Mohs' hardness scale, defined as hardness 1. Talc was known to ancient civilizations, and its name comes from an ancient Persian word, likely through Arabic.

At this locality in Germany, talc replaces quartz crystals. This is a very unusual pseudomorph, wherein massive talc has completely replaced a druse of quartz crystals. The quartz terminations reach 11-12 mm on this example. An old specimen, showing signs of handling wear. From the Arthur Flagg (1883-1961) collection.