Quartz from Kergantic near Ploemeur, Brittany – Self-Collected from a Kaolin Quarry

This Quartz specimen from a kaolin quarry near Kergantic, close to Ploemeur in Brittany, France, shows numerous closely arranged prismatic Quartz crystals on a compact matrix. The crystals are predominantly whitish to milky, with some tips showing translucent areas.

Measuring 7.7 × 5.0 × 3.5 cm and weighing 124.9 g, this is a cabinet specimen. The specimen was self-collected at the locality and comes directly from the kaolin mining area near Kergantic.

Prismatic Quartz crystals with milky areas

The Quartz crystals form a dense, three-dimensional group with numerous crystals of different sizes. Several crystals rise clearly above the specimen and show well-developed prismatic forms with distinct terminations.

The crystals are predominantly whitish to milky. Some areas, especially toward the crystal tips, are translucent, while other parts appear more strongly clouded by kaolin or kaolin-bearing material.

Light-colored to slightly cream-yellow areas are visible on some crystal surfaces and between the crystals. These are associated with the kaolinized environment of the locality and give the specimen a distinctive locality character.

Quartz from the kaolin mining area near Ploemeur

The area around Ploemeur in Brittany is known for its kaolin deposits and associated mining. Quartz veins and crystallized Quartz can occur within the kaolinized rocks, locally producing well-developed crystal groups.

This specimen comes from a kaolin quarry near Kergantic and was collected directly at the site. Of particular interest is the combination of densely arranged Quartz crystals with locally adhering kaolin-bearing material.

Its direct provenance from the locality gives the specimen additional documentary interest alongside its mineralogical features.