Stunning Smoky Amethyst Crystal with Hematite Inclusions - Namibia

This is a beautiful smoky amethyst crystal that contains small hematite flake inclusions, peppered throughout the crystal. The crystal was collected from the Goboboseb Mountains of Namibia, a location known for its beautiful amethyst specimens.

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.

Smoky quartz is a grey-brown to black variety of quartz. This common name is derived from the appearance of smoke within the quartz crystal. Depending on the location and the chemicals present during formation, smoky quartz can appear opaque black, but it is typically translucent to some extent. It is believed that the quartz gains this color from a combination of natural irradiation and aluminum impurities.


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Quartz var. Amethyst/Smoky & Hematite
LOCATION
Goboboseb Mountains, Namibia
SIZE
1.7" long
ITEM
#69194