2.1" Chalcedony Encrusted Amethyst and Barite Crystals - India

Chalcedony Encrusted Amethyst and Barite Crystals - India #220160

This is a beautiful, 2.1" wide specimen that features an association of amethyst crystals and barite crystals that are encrusted in sparkling chalcedony, collected from Madhya Pradesh, India. This formation occurred within a cavity/vug in the basalt host rock. Apophyllite and julgoldite crystals have also been reported as being present within some of these vugs.

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO2) that owes its violet color to natural gamma irradiation, iron impurities, and the presence of trace elements, which result in complex crystal lattice substitutions. It is considered a semi-precious gemstone, and just two centuries ago was considered to have a value on par with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. The largest and best known amethyst deposits occur in southern Brazil and Uruguay, where they are found in hydrothermally-formed geodes, but many localities around the world produce an amazing variety of amethyst crystals and formations. They are almost always formed in medium- to high-temperature geological settings.

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