12.90 ct QUARTZ W. CHLORITE INCLUSIONS – MADAGASCAR

Quartz with Chlorite Inclusions

Inclusion look like Sakkura Flowers from Japan!

Quartz featuring rare Chlorite inclusions from the alpine-type veins and pegmatites of Madagascar represents the “silica-phyllosilicate” peak of the inclusion world. A macrocrystalline variety of silicon dioxide hosting a group of hydrated magnesium-iron-aluminum silicate minerals, it is a combination I have always respected for its “water-clear” transparency and its status as a masterpiece of “fractional-growth” structural discipline. For the specialist, a top-tier Malagasy Chlorite-included Quartz—often exhibiting spectacular “phantom” formations—is a prize of dynamic environmental shifts; it offers a high-vitreous luster and a “luminous” presence that makes it a true “high-vibration” asset for the systematic vault. As an artist, I find the contrast between the “aqueous-clear” crystal faces and the “deep-forest-green” or “moss-neon” landscapes trapped within to be one of nature’s most sophisticated and “architecturally alive” palettes.

The Heritage & Discovery

Historical Significance Quartz is a vital species for understanding the fluid chemistry of structural fissures and pegmatitic systems. Historically, included quartz has been prized by collectors for providing a literal “time capsule” of geological history. In the world of fine minerals, the addition of Chlorite elevates a standard crystal to a natural, “sculptural-phantom” brilliance, which stands as a symbol of growth, pause, and structural integrity. It serves as a reminder that the highly energetic metamorphic zones of the Malagasy shield can experience extraordinary cyclic interruptions, allowing green silicate carpets to settle perfectly onto growing crystal faces before being permanently preserved under subsequent layers of pure silica.

Discovery While Chlorite-included Quartz is found in the Swiss Alps and Brazil, the “highly architectural” and “vivid-green” discoveries in Madagascar redefined the mineralogical benchmark for inclusion collectors. Scientifically, the chlorite group includes species like Clinochlore and Chamosite. Its discovery within the Antsinanana and Fianarantsoa provinces provided mineralogists with the first clear look at the species’ potential to form complete, three-dimensional “ghost” crystals inside a perfectly lustrous host. My own respect for this material grew from observing its “spatial” depth; specifically, the way the moss-like or micro-crystalline chlorite layers delineate old growth faces—creating a “sharp” crystal-within-a-crystal illusion—is a visual impact that is unmistakable to the trained eye.

Important Mines The undisputed world capital for the finest “aesthetic” Chlorite-phantom Quartz is the Ambatofinandrahana district and the remote mountain veins of the Anjanabonoina region in Madagascar. These specimens set the global benchmark for clarity and “sharp” phantom definition, often found in deep pockets where tectonic activity allowed multiple stages of hydrothermal fluid injection. I also have a high regard for the classic finds from the Antsirabe area. For the vault, I prioritize the Ambatofinandrahana material for its unmatched “forest-green” color contrast and its status as a rare-preservation masterpiece of Malagasy mineralogy.

Mineralogical Profile

Description Quartz is a silicon dioxide that crystallizes in the trigonal system, while the enclosed Chlorite belongs to a group of phyllosilicates that form microcrystalline plates, scales, or dustings on the internal growth zones. The quartz matrix sits at a 7 on the Mohs scale, acting as a highly durable window that protects the much softer, delicate chlorite particles (which sit at a 2 to 2.5), meaning the specimen preserves its intricate internal topography safely beneath flat, vitreous faces. It is characterized by its vitreous luster and its unmistakable, “colorless-to-smoky” clarity punctuated by rich, green emerald-like moss or terraced phantom layers.

One of its most identifying traits is its zonal transparency combined with the distinct, matte-to-silky deep green signatures of the trapped silicate scales. It has a standard quartz refractive index (n approx 1.54 to 1.55) and a stable specific gravity (SG approx 2.65), as the light weight of the thin chlorite layers does not significantly alter the host’s physical density. Because it forms in complex, multi-generational hydrothermal environments, it is often found in association with Rutile, Anatase, and Hematite. When I select a piece for the collection, I look for “pure” water-white clarity and the most “defined, razor-sharp” phantom walls, as these highlight the sophisticated, three-dimensional geometry of the mineral’s growth. It is a light, high-vibration mineral combo that offers a unique, “aqueous-neon” structural beauty unlike any other included variety.

Chemical Formula SiO2 hosting (Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8