Smoky Quartz and Amazonite, Smoky Hawk claim, Crystal Peak, Teller County, Colorado, USA

Size: 12.0x6.6x6.0cm

Mineral: Smoky Quartz and Amazonite

Locality: Smoky Hawk claim, Crystal Peak, Teller County, Colorado, USA

Description: This specimen is extremely well sculpturally balanced. The overall dimensions are 12.0x6.6x6.0cm with the smoky quartz measuring almost 8cm tall. The color and the luster of the amazonite crystals is very impressive. This specimen has one restoration and two repairs. The restoration is located near the bottom where the amazonite contacts the smoky quartz. The repairs were done by Joe Dorris or Tim Dorris.

The smoky hawk claim is located in the Pike National forest 32km northwest of Pikes peak. The pikes peak batholith has been known to produce amazonite smoky quartz specimens from miarolitic cavities since the late 1870’s. These pockets consist of immiscible fluids or gases which did not crystallize until the latest stages of formation. This forms open voids, the edges of which often contain crystallized mineral species. These specimens can be rare or unusual when compared to their distribution in the surrounding rock forming minerals.

In 2000 Joe Dorris discovered an area within a pegmatite swarm that produced an unusually high number pockets with fine crystals. He bought in larger equipment to chase the pockets down to a depth of approximately 15 meters. This area later became known to collectors worldwide as the famous Smoky Hawk.

The truly tremendous part of Joes operation that often goes overlooked is the work that goes into restoring and repairing the specimens that are recovered during the mining season. The large majority of fantastic specimens seen on the market were discovered in several pieces. The cavities the specimens are collected from have very little open space and almost never have crystals still attached to the ceiling. This is due to the forceful rupture of the pockets that occurred shortly after their formation and their continued weather that further weakens the surrounding rock.