Baia Mine, near Conselheiro Mata, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This a beautiful piece of polished Rutilated Quartz. Even more attractive in person. The Rutile is a bright copper like color and bunched together in long parallel sprays with a distinct curved aspect. The curvature is further enchanched by the curved surface. The Quartz is very clear, with a light brown color and has been brought to a high polish. There is also some minor Hematite from which the Rutile has grown epitaxially. The location is a very obscure one. Neither the mine nor the town are listed as a mineral occuruence in mindat. The town of Conselheiro Mata is about half way between Corinto and Diamantina in the state of Minas Gerais. Both localities produce Quartz and Diamantina produces Rutilated Quartz.

7.8 x 4.8 x 3.5 cm

Sold Specimen retained as part of the Minerals Sold But Not Forgotten Galleries