TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Jacinto de Compostela

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Cuarzo is a mineral with formula SiO₂, in the Silicatos group. This specimen comes from Domeño, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, España.

Jacinto de Compostela from Domeño, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, España — Terrium

Description

Agregado de prismas de cuarzo rojo tipo jacinto de compostela

About Cuarzo

Historically, Spanish mineralogical literature restricts the term "jacinto de Compostela" to the red variety of authigenic floating quartz. Recent studies (Gil Marco, J., 2013) demonstrate that its chromophore is derived from clay mineral inclusions, debunking the previous attribution to haematite. Morphologically, they present as doubly terminated crystals or spheroidal "hedgehog" aggregates, typically crystallizing unattached within marl or gypsum matrices. Despite their common sedimentary genesis, obtaining high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and structurally intact doubly terminated specimens is remarkably rare.

About the locality

Domeño (Valencia) is famous among collectors for yielding some of the finest Jacintos de Compostela, hidden within its Triassic, gypsum-rich soils. While found in other parts of Spain, Domeño crystals are prized for their exceptional sharpness. Because these classic deposits were only worked sporadically and by hand, and many are now depleted or protected, vintage specimens from this locality like this one have become highly sought-after historical treasures.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0684
Composition
SiO₂
Name
Cuarzo
Variety
Jacinto de Compostela
Group
Silicatos
Category
Meritum Persé
District / Municipality
Domeño
Province
Valencia
Region
Comunidad Valenciana
Country
España
Ex-collection
Émile-Auguste Doumet
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

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