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Petersen Peak, Nevada, Quartz Crystal Locale

There are many quartz crystal mining claims on Petersen Peak. Some are open to collecting on club-sponsored field trips, others are open on a fee basis. The image above was taken at the western base of Petersen Peak (39 deg. 52.923 min. North, 120 deg. 00.186 min West). Quartz crystals can be found loose in the lower talus slope or embedded in pockets in quartz veins in the weathered bedrock. Shown to the right is an image of a portion of Petersen Peak being worked commercially for mineral specimens. The mountain consists of granite that has been heavily fractured. The fractures were later filled by infusion of hydrothermal solutions. In some areas the fractures were sufficiently large to permit quartz to form large, clear, terminated crystals. Subsequent periods of infusion and crystallization led to scepter crystals; some of which contain phantoms and smoky or amethyst coloration. Spectacular scepter specimens, some over 16 inches in length, have come from this particular locale. The granite area being worked is close to the surface, has been heavily weathered, and the bedrock can be ripped and moved by backhoe to expose the abundant quartz veins and pockets. Shown below is one of the commercial claims near the top of the peak that is being workd for quartz crystal specimens.