What is a scepter in mineralogy ?
Scepter : definition
A scepter is a special combination of two crystals (usually quartz) : a short, large crystal capping the end of an elongated and finer crystal, giving the whole a scepter-like appearance (like this amethyst from Brandberg, Namibia on the right). This particular growth is probably an epitaxy.
When the crystal that encapsulates is smaller than the one on which it grow, it is then called an anti-scepter.
When the crystal that encapsulates is smaller than the one on which it grow, it is then called an anti-scepter.
Amethyst scepter from Brandberg, Namibia
Baryte scepter from Four-la-Brouque, Puy-de-Dôme, France
Hematoid quartz scepter from Madagascar
Quartz anti-scepter from China