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Smoky Quartz Sphere Mineral Specimen – Minas Gerais, Brazil
About the Item
Quartz spheres are cut and polished pieces of quartz that have held cultural significance since (at least) the 1st century when they were first recorded by Pliny the Elder. They were not just attractive objet d’art but were used for the purpose of “scrying,” the practice of fortune telling by gazing into a reflective object. Scrying was popularly practiced by the Druids in Europe, Muslims in India and Medina, Aztecs and Incas of the Americas, in China, and Saudi Arabia. Although Christianity condemned the practice of scrying, making crystal balls unpopular for a time, it did not stop the wealthy of the medieval ages from wearing them as fashionable accessories, nor did it prevent the primary advisor of Queen Elizabeth I, John Dee, from consulting a quartz sphere when planning important events. Although they were eventually dismissed as an object for occultists, quartz orbs gained popularity once again in the Victorian era. Since then, they have held steady popularity as curious objects of art, décor, and in pop culture.
This is a beautifully cut and polished quartz sphere with a slight twinge of smoky color, thanks to trace amounts of aluminum (Al) in its elemental makeup. While inclusions are not typically desirable in the world of jewelry, in natural specimens, they can create magical illusions like in this piece. The quartz has large areas of optical clarity while also having inclusions that give off rainbow-colored reflections. Most notably, there is also an inclusion of ultra-long and thin, black, acicular (needle-like) rutile crystals that extend from a central point. The crystals are evenly spaced within and extend from one end to the other. Many have likened the rutile to a spider, or even sci-fi imagery. With its distinctive inclusions, and the history of quartz spheres, this piece is sure to ignite conversation in any room.
Reference: #16878
- Dimensions:Height: 7.29 in (18.5 cm)Width: 7.29 in (18.5 cm)Depth: 7.29 in (18.5 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Edison, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8451236132532
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