{"product_id":"spec-6477","title":"Malawi Smokey Quartz Specimen","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e🌎 Source: Mount Malosa, Zomba, Southern Region, Malawi\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e⚖️ Weight: 312g\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe alkaline pegmatites of the Zomba-Malosa district of Malawi are famous for their unique geology and mineralogy. Malawian Aegirine crystals represent some of the best in the world, but obtaining this incredible material comes with its challenges. Malawi is a land-locked country in south-eastern Africa, and Mount Malosa is a very remote and dangerously steep area. Furthermore, because there aren’t any major industrial mines in the region, miners use primitive equipment, and sometimes even their bare hands to dig out specimens. All the while, they also have to scale and balance themselves upon the steep cliffsides without modern climbing equipment such as ropes or pitons. It is astounding that given these precarious conditions, they are able to preserve beautiful, undamaged specimens such as this gorgeous example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe Zomba Plateau in Malawi is home to a remarkable variety of minerals. Dominated by Orthoclase as a primary matrix, with notable occurrences of Smokey Quartz, Aegirine, and Zircon as the most common species. The Smokey Quartz from this area ranges from dark gemmy hues to morion and deep pitch-black shades, often containing inclusions of Aegirine, and, less frequently, Riebeckite or Rutile. Recent finds have also revealed pockets containing Green Chlorite inclusions or phantoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhile the specimens from Zomba may not always display conventional beauty, they remain endlessly captivating due to their complexity and the unique geological processes behind their formation. Notably, many of the specimens from the region exhibit self-healing properties, making them highly prized among collectors globally.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Unearthed Crystals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43998937088189,"sku":"SPEC-6477","price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1047\/7444\/files\/6477-15.jpg?v=1750326588","url":"https:\/\/www.unearthedcrystals.com.au\/products\/spec-6477","provider":"Unearthed Crystals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}