Black Phantom Hematite Quartz with Barite – Sidi Said, Morocco – 0.60 lbs

A striking Black Phantom Hematite Quartz specimen with Barite from Sidi Said, Morocco, featuring densely intergrown quartz crystals with dramatic black internal mineralization. Its gunmetal-dark appearance, sharply geometric terminations, and contrasting ochre-brown barite matrix create an unusually architectural collector specimen.

The primary face is covered with quartz points ranging from small secondary crystals to several substantial central formations. Short hexagonal prisms rise into broad pyramidal terminations, producing an interlocking surface of angular planes and highly reflective faces. A dominant crystal near the center provides a strong focal point, surrounded by numerous smaller points extending toward the edges.

The black coloration appears to record an earlier generation of hematite-rich mineralization that coated or became incorporated into the developing quartz. Continued quartz growth partially enclosed this dark layer beneath later transparent-to-translucent material, creating the shadowed internal boundaries described as “phantoms.” Under directional light, some crystals reveal smoky brown, charcoal, or faintly transparent outer zones around their nearly black interiors.

The reverse is dominated by natural barite-rich matrix with layered, bladed textures and warm tan, ochre, rust, and gray-brown coloration. Scattered quartz continues around the perimeter, clearly showing the relationship between the dark crystal field and its original matrix.

Measuring approximately 3 × 1.5 × 4 inches and weighing 0.60 pounds, this specimen offers strong crystal size, dense coverage, impressive contrast, and excellent visual depth.

Specifications

Primary Mineral: Quartz

Associated Minerals: Barite with hematite-rich mineralization

Descriptive Name: Black Phantom Hematite Quartz

Locality: Sidi Said, Morocco

Weight: 0.60 lbs, approximately 272 grams

Dimensions: Approximately 3 × 1.5 × 4 inches

Color: Black, charcoal gray, gunmetal, smoky brown, tan, ochre, and rust

Formation: Densely intergrown dark quartz crystals over a barite-rich matrix

Quartz Habit: Short hexagonal prisms with broad pyramidal terminations

Phantom Features: Dark internal boundaries and inclusions interpreted as earlier hematite-rich growth layers preserved by later quartz

Luster: Vitreous and highly reflective across the quartz

Transparency: Predominantly opaque to translucent, with clearer smoky areas along select faces and edges

Reverse: Natural layered and bladed barite-rich matrix with iron staining

Chemical Formulas: SiO₂ for quartz; BaSO₄ for barite; Fe₂O₃ for hematite

Crystal Systems: Trigonal for quartz and hematite; orthorhombic for barite

Mohs Hardness: Approximately 7 for quartz, 3–3.5 for barite, and 5–6.5 for hematite

Display Size: Cabinet specimen

Condition: Natural mineral specimen with inherent contacts, incomplete crystals, small edge irregularities, internal fractures, surface deposits, matrix attachment, and extraction-related features

Exact specimen shown

About Black Phantom Quartz

“Black Phantom Hematite Quartz” is a descriptive collector name rather than a formally recognized quartz variety. A phantom forms when one stage of crystal growth is interrupted by mineral deposition and later covered by renewed crystal growth, preserving an outline or dark zone within the finished crystal.

The unusually dark appearance should not automatically be interpreted as smoky quartz. On this specimen, the black coloration is attributed to hematite-rich mineralization associated with an earlier growth stage. Exact identification of every dark inclusion would require laboratory testing.

Collector Notes

• Dark phantom quartz from Sidi Said, Morocco
• Dramatic nearly black crystal field
• Numerous geometric quartz terminations
• Large central focal crystal
• Reflective gunmetal-to-glassy faces
• Dark internal growth zones
• Smoky translucent edges on select crystals
• Contrasting ochre and brown barite-rich matrix
• Crystallization continuing around multiple edges
• Exact specimen pictured

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You will receive the exact specimen shown.
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