Amethyst with Epidote & Hematite

Description

Broad, pale lilac Amethyst crystals form a compact cluster on natural matrix. Glassy faces reveal internal detail, while scattered green Epidote crystals and fine dark to reddish Hematite speckling create a delicate contrast across the Quartz.

The pale lilac to nearly clear Quartz contrasts with the darker green crystals and fine mineral speckling. Reflective faces and internal features give this 492 g cabinet specimen plenty of detail to explore.

Locality supplied: Hongxizhen Mining Area, Meigu County, Liangshan Yi, Sichuan Province, China.

The crossing arrangement described above is an important part of the specimen’s silhouette. It lets the direction of individual crystals be followed through the group, with open spaces making their outlines more apparent. Intersecting crystals alone do not establish a specific twin law; here the description concerns the visible arrangement rather than a laboratory-confirmed crystallographic relationship.

The recorded Hematite adds iron-mineral detail alongside the principal crystals. Its distribution and contrasting colour help distinguish different parts of the specimen. Here, that association is appreciated as part of the piece’s natural character, alongside the crystal form and matrix. The identification follows the recorded listing rather than being inferred from colour alone.

Amethyst is the violet variety of Quartz, so its colour and pointed crystal habit belong to the same mineral family as clear rock crystal. Violet colour is associated with iron-related features in the crystal structure and natural irradiation. Colour can vary within a single crystal, giving different impressions at the tips, edges and thicker parts of a group.

A cluster of Amethyst is interesting at two scales: the outline of the whole piece and the individual faces that make up its surface. Closely grouped crystals create a sparkling texture, while larger points give the specimen direction and shape. The balance between pale and darker areas is useful when comparing one Amethyst specimen with another.

The recorded origin is Hongxizhen Mining Area, Meigu County, Liangshan Yi, Sichuan Province, China. Within a collection of Amethyst specimens, this locality gives the piece a geographical identity alongside its particular crystal habit and natural setting.

The specimen measures 9 × 7 × 7 cm, with a recorded weight of 492 g. The proportions give a useful guide to its place in a display, with the individual crystal arrangement and mineral association remaining the principal points of interest.

Support the matrix or the supplied mount when moving the piece, avoiding pressure on the Amethyst points. A shaded indoor display is a sensible choice for retaining its colour and keeping the fine crystal surfaces free from unnecessary handling.