digit Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 A friend of Tammy's has a chunk of amethyst crystals and was curious as to what the rusty orange highlights on the crystals might be caused by. I'm assuming it's some sort of iron oxide deposit leftover from when the amethyst crystals were created within the geode. I know that impurities of iron are responsible for turning the colorless quartz into a lovely purple amethyst. Has anybody else seen these rusty highlights in their amethyst specimens? Cheers. -Ken ' 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandpa Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Looks somewhat like Thunder Bay amethyst with its hematite staining. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Looks beautiful, whatever it is! I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patelinho7 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 I'd agree with iron oxide, every amethyst i've gotten my hands on always has little bits of that stain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 It is a hematite inclusion (very near the surface).. 1 Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 Thanks Tony (and all)! Tammy has taken this piece back to her friend. She's always wondered about the rusty orange highlights on that piece of amethyst and Tammy can now spread a little knowledge. The reach that TFF has for educating and spreading knowledge is extensive. Got to do a little internet image searching and the Thunder Bay amethyst is some really gorgeous stuff! Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agateyes Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 Good day, I think it’s both iron oxide and hematite. Are there red inclusions in the crystals or orange inclusions? This is most likely from Canada, I don’t think it’s moonlight mine but it could be, it’s most likely from Ontario or Thunder Bay. It could be goethite/cacoxenite as well, I’d have to look at a macro photo of the crystal inclusions and exterior to be sure. It’s such a beautiful piece, a super sweet piece! Regards, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 Thanks for the info. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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