TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Cuarzo Ahumado

Cuarzo is a mineral with formula SiO₂, in the Silicatos [Tectosilicatos (Grupo Cuarzo)] group. This specimen comes from Erongo Mountains, Karibib, Erongo, Erongo Region, Namibia and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Cuarzo Ahumado from Erongo Mountains, Karibib, Erongo, Erongo Region, Namibia — Terrium

Description

A single large smoky quartz crystal partially coated by a hyaline yellow layer of opal with characteristic surface bubbling. Under UV light, the opal shows intense green fluorescence.

About Cuarzo

Smoky quartz owes its colour to natural radiation in the geological environment. Hyaline opal is an amorphous variety of hydrated silica, lacking a defined crystal structure. It can form glassy films on other minerals and is well known for its fluorescence.

About the locality

Erongo is a mineral-rich volcanic and hydrothermal region in Namibia. Its pegmatites have produced notable specimens of quartz, tourmaline, beryl, fluorite and opal. Specimens with fluorescent hyaline opal on smoky quartz are scarce and collectable.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0080
Composition
SiO₂
Name
Cuarzo
Variety
Ahumado
Group
Silicatos [Tectosilicatos (Grupo Cuarzo)]
Category
Estélites
Associations
ópalo hialino
Mine
Erongo Mountains
District / Municipality
Karibib
Province
Erongo
Region
Erongo Region
Country
Namibia
Size (cm)
9.7 x 2.6 x 2
Weight
38.4 g
Acquired
2025
Etymology
From the Sanskrit "upala", meaning "precious stone".
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

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