I found this puppy on MikeS's claim. I cleaned it with baking soda and two types of vinegar. I was curious if it would work. Apple cider and white wine. Mild acidity and surprisingly potent results. It managed to strip away a lot of rust.
I am absolutely not a knowledgeable person about minerals so any help is appreciated.
My goal is to maximize the value of the piece. I have no intention of selling it but the idea of having a valuable piece in my personal collection is very inticing.
So, let me tell you about what I see. Work with me, I feel pretty stupid writing out my wild mineral guesses.
It appears to be a base cluster of smokey quartz alongside cloudy(?) or white quartz. It is in a matrix of red sandstone (?) It was then coated with feldspar which started growing its own baby crystals and square geometric forms. I need to go back and find it's missing pieces. Ive been fortunate to find three missing smokey quartz coated pieces.
So my question posed is what would you do? Is the piece worth the cost of having professionally cleaned up? I've scraped some of the red sand off and am removing small quartz pebbles with it. I think this is a really cool snapshot in the way that minerals will reform in pockets millions of years ago. Mike was just telling me about hiw crystals heal in time and to have a piece that tells that exact story is so very cool!
So I have some veryhard questions to ask. I am fully aware that there is no definitive answers but if anyone can help me lean in one way or another I really appreciate it.
(Total noob questions)
1. Is this common occurrence? (Of course I want it to be special)
2. Value as is.
3. Is the underlying smokey considered phantom? Is the grouping considered a combo?
4. Is it worth having a professional clean it up? If it's only worth like 20 bucks it's not worth the cost.
5. Is it more valuable in the matrix or broken apart into separate crystals?

I know very well that the value of a piece is dependent on the seller and the buyer agreeing on a price. To my unprofessional opinion, this is a rare find. A experienced hound may rightfully disagree with me.
Pictures to follow in no real order.

Hey, Fenixsmom. Sorry I was not able to take a better look while we were at the claim.

I should still take another look in person, but from what I see, I can answer a few questions.

I do not see any pieces that would be considered a "phantom". Some of your quartz does have various layers that are interesting, but a "phantom crystal" means that you can see the inside crystal fairly easy, from the outside layer. If you can only see the layers when it is broken or cut, I don't think it counts as a phantom.

Your specimen is not uncommon for Mike's claim, but almost any crystal pieces from his claim I would not say that it is "common". By that I mean your specimen is unique in how it is formed, and not common when compared to quartz specimens from around the state.

From what I see so far, I would not put a very high price on that specimen. If I wanted to try and sell it, I would not ask for more than $25. Unless you have some small inclusions, or something that I am not seeing that could raise the value. If the quartz was less broken/ more complete, or had less white quartz, then you would maybe be able to bump up the price and have it sell. Again, I should take a closer look for ya sometime. I may see something that changes my mind on that price.

I would not bother with any pro cleaning(unless it's free). I say keep it as is (whole).

Also, I would not call it a "combo". Even though it is several minerals, the term "combo" usually is used when at least two of the minerals are complete (full crystal tips), or gem quality.

I will take a better peek in person some time, and then I can give you better info. Knowing Mike's claim, you probably have some interesting micro-inclusions in there, that are hard to see with the naked eye.

Thank you Dave!!! No worries about not getting a better peek at camp. It was a long and wet day lol. I found tge third piece in my backpack after I got home. I can't wait to get out and look for those MONSTER smokeys that are still missing. That being said, if you guys should happen to find the missing pieces please let me have dibs on buying them off you!

I've been contemplating taking a hammer and chisel to it since last night. If it's not really worth anything and I avoid tge little crystal pockets on the side. Im curious to see what's underlying. If I'm careful enough and make clean breaks I can just superglue it back together. After all, the knowledge gained is far more valuble than the piece is. :)

Don't tear it up... you can find hundreds of already broken up pieces anywhere... hold on to it and maybe you'll get lucky over time and add a few more pieces back to it!

You really think so? Hmm. Again I'm torn lol.

The size of it makes it cool... you can find broken pieces all day long. It managed to survive for a whole lotta years intact, don't be the one to tear it apart :)

Aww I like the way you think sir!

I agree with Crusty, leave it be for now, and try to get the other pieces later. There will be more digs up at the claim. At least wait till I get a better look at it!

I will. Sorry I was awfully "broken up" on what to do with it.

It's a fantastic first find Jessie, I agree also to leave as is.

The I's have it! Thanks D!