Typical smoky quartz crystalsare elongated but relatively stubby.

 

　　About half exhibit normal or prismatichabit terminations. About half also have prism faces that gradually taper to apoint (similar to the Tessin habit).

 

　　Dauphiné twinning, which is an indicatorof a high temperature environment,is quite common but frequently difficultto identify. Similarly, the macromosaicstructure of the crystals that is revealedby sutures on the prism faces is anotherhigh temperature indicator.

 

　　It is rare to find smoky quartz crystalsin the miarolitic cavities that do notdisplay at least some minor damage, especiallyto the fragile terminations. Mostof the quartz is initially damaged duringrupture shortly after pocket crystallization.

 

　　In severe cases there are no remaining,intact crystals found within apocket. Nearly all the smoky quartz crystalsalso display a satiny surface lusteras opposed to a glassy surface luster.

 

　　This satin luster is thought to occur fromthe natural high fluorine content inthe pegmatite volatiles. Many smokyquartz crystals also exhibit later-stagecrystal growth, wherein subsequent fluidepisodes have caused renewed crystallization.

 

　　Occasionally, this subsequentgrowth results in attractive specimens,but it can also become quite unattractive,especially if the secondary quartzgrows over or is included with oxidesand clays.

 

   
Unique, big and unrepaired specimen of big quartz with amazonites and fluorite crystal on the side freshly after extracting and after final cleaning, 23.6 cm in length. J. and G. Spann collection. J. Dorris and J. Scovil photos.

 

　　The smoky quartz crystals fromthe Lucky Monday pocket occurred in elongated prismatic crystals and displayclean, sharp and lustrous, faces devoidof overgrowth and damage. Most haveundamaged terminations and also showsurface patterns in the satin lusterthat indicates probable Dauphiné twinning.

 

　　They are transparent, gemmyroot beer bottle brown when backlitbut display as deep black. Smoky quartzcrystals range from 2.5 to 22 cm inlength and from 1 to 10 cm in diameter.

 

　　These are easily some of the best qualitysmoky quartz ever recovered from thedistrict.

 

　　Combination SpecimensMost of the specimens from theLucky Monday are exceptional combinationspecimens of smoky quartz withamazonite with a few having cleavelanditeand fluorite associations as well.

 

　　In addition to the individual qualities ofthe associated species, the specimens incombination show superb qualities. Thecolor contrast of deep black to vibrantblue green is very strong. The size ratioof crystals is exceptional with the averagebeing two and a half to one. The lusterof both the smoky quartz andamazonite is exceptional for the regionand the overall appearance shows strongaesthetics and balance, making thesespecimens highly desirable by collectors.

 

  

 

 

　　A small area on the Smoky Hawkstructure remains to be explored andwill likely be completed in 2013. It isexpected that mechanized operationswill produce one or two more high qualitypockets. However, each pocketdiscovery is marked by its own uniqueappearance and may not directlycompare to the Lucky Monday pocket.

 

　　For example, a future pocket may contain smaller amazonite crystals butwith sharply contrasting white caps,or it may contain common microcline.

 

　　Will any future pockets equal the qualityof the Lucky Monday pocket? Only timeand luck will tell.