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PhotosSmoky Quartz - Mina Tiro Estrella, El Capitan Mts, Capitan District, Lincoln Co., New Mexico, USA

16th Jan 2016 18:12 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Smoky Quartz

Smokey Bear Quartz Claims, Lincoln County, New Mexico, USA

This "veiled" smoky is not from Mina Tiro Estrella in the El Capitans. This mine is currently under claim and is off limits not by the government but rather by the claim holder. The specimen is from an old claim on Sierra Blanca Mountain called the Smoky Bear Claim and which IS off limits to collectors as declared by the Park Service. The location has, in the past, been the source of many spectacular smoky specimens to include large plates of four to six inch (100 to 150mm) xls with the same clarity, luster and smoke veils. The problem is/was that the xls are coated with a thin quartz druze and must be HF etched CAREFULLY to reveal their luster and clarity. Cookie and I have collected both locations in years past - didn't know Smoky Bear was off limits and just got lucky!! Mina Tira Estrella was not under claim at the time and was known for it's NATURAL smoky quartz Japan law twins (as well as well formed allanite thumbnails).

Don S

16th Jan 2016 18:22 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Don, http://www.mindat.org/lsearch.php?from=nsearch&loc=Smoky+Bear+Claim gives over 300 locations most in the US. I'll fix this if you can tell me which state the claim is in.

edit:

http://www.mindat.org/loc-36307.html is in Arizona but this claim appears to be absent. If we don't have it could you please add it?

17th Jan 2016 07:36 UTCDavid Von Bargen Manager

New Mexico

http://www.mindat.org/loc-5372.html

17th Jan 2016 18:06 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Thank you David. I did respond to Rob's post yesterday but obviously neglected to hit the "post Message" button....

Don

18th Jan 2016 02:18 UTCRob Woodside 🌟 Manager

Thanks Guys Fixed!

19th Jan 2016 00:38 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Thanks, Rob!

Don S