8.5" Amethyst Point lLuster - Minas Gerais, Brazil

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO2) and owes its violet color to natural 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.

Much of the world’s amethyst comes from extensive deposits in Southern Brazil that have been heavily mined for about a century. The amethyst occurs in large cavities or geodes within volcanic rocks and the coloration and crystal size can vary greatly.