Cuarzo
Cuarzo is a mineral with formula SiO₂, in the Silicatos [Tectosilicatos (Grupo Cuarzo)] group. This specimen comes from Madirobe deposit, Antsalova, Besalampy, Melaky, Madagascar and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Group of three crystals with internal bubbles and hydrocarbon inclusions.
History of this specimen
Known on the market as "Cuarzo luciérnaga" or "Firefly Quartz", the trade name given to the Madirobe (Madagascar) find introduced as a novelty at Tucson 2023.
About Cuarzo
Quartz with petroleum inclusions forms when hydrocarbon fluids become trapped during crystal growth. In this case, the three-phase cavities contain liquid, gas and, sometimes, microcrystals, which are responsible for the fluorescence.
About the locality
Madirobe is an emerging deposit on the west coast of Madagascar, known for producing quartz with unusual inclusions. Specimens are extracted from pegmatitic veins within gneisses, and typically occur in cavities with well-developed crystals.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0188
- Composition
- SiO₂
- Name
- Cuarzo
- Group
- Silicatos [Tectosilicatos (Grupo Cuarzo)]
- Category
- Lucimera
- Associations
- petróleo
- Mine
- Madirobe deposit
- District / Municipality
- Antsalova
- Province
- Besalampy
- Region
- Melaky
- Country
- Madagascar
- Size (cm)
- 3.7 x 1.2 x 1
- Weight
- 4.9 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From the German "Quarz", an old term of uncertain origin, possibly Slavic.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Celestina — Madagascar
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- Cuarzo — Madagascar
- Cuarzo (Ahumado) — Namibia
- Amatista — Kazajistán