Gwindel Smoky Quartz Crystals

Gwindel Smoky Quartz Crystals From Tiefengletscher, Furka, Kanton Uri, Switzerland Credit: Anton Watzl

Gwindel Quartz refers to a unique growth form of quartz crystals where the crystal appears to grow sideways, parallel to its c-axis, forming a platy structure similar to faden quartz but twisted, with bent crystal faces. The term "Gwindel" comes from the German word "gewunden", meaning twisted.

The exact formation process of Gwindel Quartz is not fully understood, but it involves the crystal growing in a way that it wraps or twists around an axis, often along one of its a-axes, rather than growing straight up along the c-axis like most quartz. This can result in a platy, twisted shape with bent crystal faces.

Gwindel Quartz crystals are characterized by their unusual, often helical or spiraled growth pattern. They might show a macromosaic structure on their surfaces, which means the crystal faces are composed of smaller, interlocking crystal units.

Location: Notable locations for finding Gwindel Quartz include alpine regions like the Swiss Alps, particularly areas like Grimsel, Gotthard, and Val Giuv. However, they are also found in other places around the world, including Northern India.

Gwindel Quartz specimens are highly sought after by mineral collectors for their aesthetic and scientific value. The extraction process is often artisanal due to the delicate nature of the crystals and the need to preserve them, reflecting a balance between collecting and conservation.