Included Quartz specimens (‘Hilutite’)

Included Quartz specimens ('Hilutite')

An interesting one, and a reflection on the mineral collecting and new age industries.

This material is apparently known as Hilutite, but this name is just a trade name and not recognised by any international body I can find.

Being a combination of multiple minerals, this would be classified as a rock - but the name is likely given to it in order to make it sound exotic and mineral-like.

As a general rule I tend to try and avoid the use of trade names unless they've truly entered the public vocabulary - eg "snowflake Obsidian", hence referring to this material as an included Quartz.

From a brief look under the microscope I was able to identify numerous small surface level and included Garnets, as well as some inclusions of Goethite and small brown crystals that may be Zircons; however, I don't have the equipment to test at this scale. The inclusions are visible with the naked eye but magnification is recommended to examine it. No UV reaction, unfortunately.

I actually think its quite a pretty material; reminds me of some of the stuff referred to as 'strawberry Quartz'. Might be nice when cut and polished.