Smoky Quartz Plate

[thehunter123]

Hey y'all. Found this awesome smoky quartz plate that weighs roughly 20 lbs in a recent pocket dig. The plate has really good color variation and the points are all in pristine condition. Anyone have an idea as to what the value of this piece would be?

 

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[ThinIce]

Geodes of this size will sell for several hundred dollars, but those crystals are nice specimens and can probably go for more if someone's looking for one.

 

[Clay Diggins]

You've got quite a bit of damage to the primary crystals. I'd guess about $300 retail max. If this is verified from North Carolina it might be worth quite a bit more.

 

[thehunter123]

Thanks for the reply Clay! Quick question. Would you consider this to be a pretty rare find for the state of North Carolina? Just wondering since you said that the value could increase based on the locality of the find.

 

[Clay Diggins]

Thanks for the reply Clay! Quick question. Would you consider this to be a pretty rare find for the state of North Carolina? Just wondering since you said that the value could increase based on the locality of the find.

There are two markets for mineral finds such as yours. The ornamental market is the larger of the two but the beauty and size of a piece are also valued by the much smaller market of mineral collectors.

While the ornamental market will heavily discount damaged crystal points the cabinet size collectors of minerals will be less concerned with the damage and more focused on the overall rarity of cabinet size specimens from that particular locality.

Large specimens from Minas Gerais, Brazil are much more common than large specimens from North Carolina. The relative value of a confirmed North Carolina specimen will be greater than one from Brazil, all else being equal. For a collector of cabinet size specimens it's not all about size or visual appeal.

The mineral collector has to compete with the ornamental collector so the base values of a group like yours is established by the current value in the collector market. You can add to that base value if you can establish a unique value based on a specific locality.

An ornamental collector may only want the single most attractive specimen they can afford where a mineral collector might have several smoky quartz plates defined by their locality as much, or more, than by their visual appeal.

It may take longer to sell a mineral specimen defined by locality but the final value will be higher in the mineral specimen market.

For your inspiration here is a sample of some of the Swiss crystals that have been found:



Wouldn't it be great to be able to find a vug you could crawl into?

60 foot crystals have been found Brazil. Those huge crystals have an even smaller market than your find. Keep on hunting you are obviously on the right track!