A variety of phantom quartz. During growth, fine particles of iron oxide settled on the crystal surface like snowflakes, then the quartz resumed growing, sealing the pattern inside.

The phantom records each interruption and restart. The degree of iron oxidation sets the orange; the pattern of deposition creates the snowflake forms. Within one crystal, a log of environmental change.

Primarily from Brazil. Specimens with distinct patterning are limited. It looks like snow crystals trapped in stone—but it is iron, not snow. A product of heat, wearing the shape of something cold.