Chalcedony on Quartz

Wheal Drea, part of the Wheal Owls group, lies close to the high cliff tops of the Atlantic coast in south west Cornwall.  Mining here took place through the 19th century and finally ended in 1884.  This old tin mine is known for its interesting specimens of Chalcedony, a microcrystalline variety of Quartz.  This large cabinet specimen is a wonderful example, with the cream and ochre-tinted Chalcedony forming sculptural druses, stalagmitic fronds and cauliflower-like masses over a completely hidden bed of opaque milky Quartz crystals.  Cross-sectional profiles of the Quartz crystals can be studied around all sides of the specimen.  Forming colourful contoured bands above these, are narrow bands of carmine, brick-red, mustard-yellow and dark grey Chalcedony, all underlaying the upper Chalcedony display face.  A quite different type of specimen and one which is sure to make a talking point in any Cornish collection.