Solid hyaline quartz point from Brazil, 400 g and 105×56×47 mm. It contains dispersed carbon inclusions (opaque black material), a secondary rectangular inclusion of bright yellowish tones of uncertain identity, and a record keeper engraving on one of the faces near the tip — a surprise reserved for the buyer that does not appear in the photographs.
Specimen Data Sheet
| Mineral |
Hyaline quartz (SiO₂ — silicon dioxide) |
| Dimensions |
105×56×47 mm (±3 mm) |
| Weight |
400 g |
| Habit |
Single point; natural termination with six rhombohedral faces |
| Hardness |
7 Mohs |
| Origin |
Brazil |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Piece Type |
Unique piece |
This specific specimen
The carbon inclusions —black dots and veils dispersed in the quartz mass— are the most striking feature under transmitted light: against a strong light source, the interior of the specimen shows the black veils suspended in the crystal, like clouds in a transparent space. The bright yellowish rectangular inclusion in the lower third adds another plane of interest; its identity has not been determined with certainty — it could be pyrite, lamellar goethite, or another sulfide in an inclined position.
The record keeper —small triangles engraved on one face of the prism— is a growth formation, not post-extraction damage.
How inclusions form in quartz
Quartz grows slowly from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids. When the fluid carries organic carbon particles, iron oxides, or other minerals during growth, these become trapped in the crystal lattice as solid inclusions. Carbon inclusions (sometimes solidified anthraxolite) are characteristic of some areas of the quartz belts of Minas Gerais and Bahia states in Brazil.
Uses of the specimen
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Collection and research — Points with multiple inclusions of distinct nature are reference material for mineralogists and amateur gemologists.
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Display case and decoration — The size (400 g, 105 mm) gives it an autonomous presence.
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Mineralogical photography — Inclusions under transmitted light offer unique image planes.
Hyaline quartz in mineralogical tradition
Transparent quartz (hyaline, from Greek hyalos, glass) was considered for centuries to be permanently frozen water; Pliny the Elder defended this theory in the 1st century AD. From the Renaissance, its transparency made it a reference material for optical instruments before the advent of modern optical glass. In the crystal tradition, transparent quartz is associated with mental clarity and the amplification of intention — a reference stone in collections and meditative practices alike.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.
How to recognize genuine quartz
Hyaline quartz has a strong vitreous luster and a white streak. With a hardness of 7 Mohs, it scratches glass (5.5) and is not scratched by it. Imitation glass (artificial rock crystal) is lighter, has perfect conchoidal fracture, and rarely contains natural inclusions. Genuine quartz may show internal curved fractures, water veils, or solid inclusions.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the bright yellowish inclusion?
It has not been determined with certainty. Due to its lamellar shape and metallic yellow luster, it could be pyrite, chalcopyrite, or iridescent goethite in an inclined position. Part of the uniqueness of this specimen is precisely this unidentified inclusion.
What is a record keeper?
Record keeper triangles are secondary growth formations on the terminal faces of quartz. They are not damage or artificial marks. They are the result of episodes of differential crystallization and are found in a small proportion of natural points.
Has it undergone any treatment?
No detectable treatment. The transparency, color, and inclusions are the natural state of the extracted quartz. Statement based on mineralogical observation; no formal gemological certification.
More about quartz: properties and uses of transparent quartz. See also: raw minerals.
