Quartz

Object Name:

Quartz

Object ID:

2006.005

Creator:

Dyber, Michael M. (1949- )

Place of Origin:

Moat Mountain, NH

Date:

circa 1990

Description:

Piece of New Hampshire smoky quartz cut, carved, and polished by Michael Dyber, Rumney, NH, c. 1990. 111.37 carats (22.3 grams). Convex face, slightly oval. Triangular cross-section. Three parallel elongated concave dishes cut in face. Four curved grooves cut on reverse. One straight groove cut at apex of triangle on reverse. Four round optic dishes cut in reverse. "MD" monogram scratched on edge.

Material:

Stone
Quartz

Dimensions:

H-3.302 W-3.175 D-1.524 cm Weight-22.309 gr

Provenance:

This piece was cut from a large smoky quartz crystal collected at the base of Moat Mountain near Conway, NH. The Moat Mountain site is the prime NH locality for smoky quartz, which is the state gemstone. Some of the finest smoky quartz crystals in the world have been found here. The crystal from which this piece was cut was collected by Peter Samuelson or Michael Undercofler, members of the Capital Mineral Club, and given to Michael Dyber.

Michael Dyber is recognized as one of the most skilled and innovative gem carvers in the world. He has won numerous awards in international competition. He was the first American to win the top prize for gemstone design in the prestigious annual German competition. He developed the "Dyber Optic Dish," a round concave facet that creates optical illusions. This smoky quartz piece has four optic dishes cut in the back.

Credit Line:

Gift of Michael M. Dyber

Subjects:

Minerals, Gems, Stone carving