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Combinations - Mineral Twins, In Matrix and Special

"Twins" or "twinning" is the name given to like crystals that grow in multiples (2 or more).  "In matrix" refers to when different minerals or crystals grow together, multiples of the same crystal grow in a single setting (e.g. pegmatite) or there are various minerals that are embedded in their natural setting.  What they are called is not as important as their beauty and what they are worth.  A single perfectly formed crystal may be pretty and have value, but multiple crystals formed together make for a much more interesting and collectible specimen. The Beaver Creek Mine has produced many such examples of twins and in matrix specimens. Some examples are below.

  Amazonite Twins:

  Quartz Twins and Special:

  Mineral Combinations - In Matrix:

 Dauphine Twin

 Japan Twin

Phantoms

 Manebach Twins

 Carlsbad Twins

 Braveno Twins

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Manebach twins typically grow side by side or in parallel planes.

Notice the intertwining growth pattern which is typical of a Carlsbad twin.

Front

This is an example of a twin similar to the one in the first picture that had split along its growth planes.

Conceptual drawing of a Manebach twin growth pattern.

Other examples of Manebach twins from our mine:

Conceptual  drawing of a Carlsbad twin growth pattern.

Conceptual  drawing of a Braveno twin growth pattern.

This sample is special in that it is not only doubly terminated, but also goes through 4 transitions (Black to White to Black to White).

Japan twin occurs when two quartz twin crystals are visible as individuals. Most easily seen when they are at right angles.

Phantom smoky quartz appear to have a crystal growing within a crystal. Notice the darker inner shadow that appears in the lighter outer portion.

When a smoky quartz crystal has developed with points on both ends, that is known as a double terminated crystal.

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Other examples of Carlsbad twins from here:

 Double Terminations

Front

Back

Front

Back

Smoky Quartz crystal.
Smoky Quartz Twin with Amazonite and Cleavelandite.

Manebach twin with large Mica growth

Cleavelandite growing on individual crystals

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Back

Smoky Quartz, Amazonite crystal & Cleavelandite

Front

Side

Front

Side

Smoky Quartz twin & Amazonite crystal

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Side

Amazonite Manebach twin.

Smoky Quartz crystals growing in a Amazonite bowl.
Amazonite crystal.
mazonite crystals with Mica.

Does not look like a twin but it is.

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