7.9" Purple Amethyst Geode - Morocco

This is a 7.9" wide amethyst geode that was collected from Sidi Rahal, Morocco. The amethyst crystals have a wonderful, violet to red coloration. The red coloration can be attributed to inclusions of hematite (oxidized iron). Both halves of this geode are included.

One half measures 5.3 x 3.9 x 2.1" while the other half measures 7.2 x 6.2 x 3.9". When the halves are put together, the entire geode is 7.9 x 5.7 x 4.2".

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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