Smoky Quartz with Orthoclase from Fuglemyr, Norway – Crystals in Drammen Granite

This large Smoky Quartz and Orthoclase specimen from Fuglemyr, Hurum/Asker, Norway features numerous smoky gray to very dark gray Quartz crystals between pale pink to pinkish-brown Orthoclase crystals. The crystals cover large areas of the granitic matrix and form a richly mineralized, three-dimensional surface.

Measuring 13 × 6 × 3.5 cm and weighing 369.4 g, this is a large cabinet specimen. Particularly characteristic is the dense association of dark Smoky Quartz with contrasting pink Orthoclase.

Numerous Smoky Quartz crystals between Orthoclase

The Smoky Quartz ranges from smoky gray to very dark gray. The crystals are predominantly translucent, with some thinner areas and crystal edges locally appearing weakly transparent.

The crystals are prismatic with developed terminations and occur both individually and in densely intergrown groups. Numerous crystals of different sizes are distributed across the specimen.

The Orthoclase is pale pink to pinkish brown and opaque. It forms numerous blocky to short-prismatic crystals closely associated with the Smoky Quartz. The contrast between the dark Quartz and pale pink feldspar gives the specimen a varied and distinctive appearance.

Smoky Quartz and Orthoclase from Fuglemyr

The Fuglemyr locality on Hurum in present-day Asker, Norway, lies within the Drammen Granite area. Smoky Quartz and feldspar crystals from the locality formed in miarolitic cavities within the granite, where minerals were able to crystallize freely into open spaces.

This specimen clearly displays this characteristic mineralization, with numerous Smoky Quartz and Orthoclase crystals on granitic matrix. Portions of the surrounding Drammen Granite are also preserved.

The specimen comes from the collection of Jürgen Weber, Altena-Evingsen, Germany.