![]() Rough and uninteresting on the outside, it reveals a magical and scintillating display of glistening purple crystals on the inside when broken open.Īmethysts are used abundantly around the world for their healing benefits. The amethyst geode is one of nature’s most breathtaking and treasured creations. The geode is then chiseled away from the remaining encased rock and carted back to the surface where the geode will undergo cutting and preparation for sale.If you're interested in learning about amethyst geodes, you've come to the right place! You'll find everything you could want to know about these incredible specimens right here. With this relatively modern method, the miner can ascertain the grade of the geode, which is primarily governed by the saturation of colour and crystal size. At this point, a very small hole is drilled within the geode and small telescopic camera is inserted. This process can take days to weeks, depending on the size of the geode. Because these fragile geodes are encased in solid rock, painstaking care must be taken to carefully chisel away the encasing rock until the surface of the amethyst geode is exposed. Once a geode is located, the mining process slows down to a snail-pace. Only the most experienced of miners will know when they are nearing closer to an Amethyst geode, with subtle colour changes to the exhumed rock and associated mineralogy. Mining will commence either as an open pit or underground operation with the removal of waste rock, which is essentially the solidified basalt with no discernible Amethyst. Generations of expertise in mining methods have perfected the mining process of these enormous, yet inherently fragile natural entities.Ĭurrent mining practices now incorporate an amalgamation artisanal mining methods and more modern techniques by the use of large machinery and explosives. It is the descendants of those early pioneers that still reside in Rio Grande Do Sul today. Prior to this discovery, Amethyst was comparatively scarce, with only a few economic deposits known to exist which primarily resided in Russia. This was incredibly hard work by any measure, however justified with the current economic value of Amethyst at the time. Much of the mining was initially carried out by pick and shovel artisanal practices. When Amethyst was first discovered, it was these immigrants who recognized the potential economic wealth of the region and commenced mining and shipping Amethyst back to Idar-Oberstein in the form of gem and specimen rough. Rio Grande Do Sul’s rich mining history dates back to the 1820’s when immigrants from the Hunsruk region near Idar-Oberstein - what is now referred to as Western Germany. Multiple mine adits leading to the productive Amethyst zones within the overlying basaltic flows in Rio Grande Do Sul. Slowly but surely, these fluids began to cool, and crystalise out the gorgeous amethyst lined geodes we admire today. Over time, hydrothermal fluids enriched in all the elements required for amethyst production permeated into these cavities. Within these solidifying lava flows, large gas pockets became entombed within the basalt. Thick, viscous flows of lava flooded the region in successive layers which hardened into dense, fine-grained basalt over a millennia. Approximately 130 million years ago, the region experienced substantial volcanic activity. Rio Grande Do Sul is situated in the southernmost state of Brazil bordering on Uruguay and Argentina. ![]() Although there are numerous mining regions across Brazil, our focus is on Rio Grande Do Sul, which to this day, remains the world’s premier supplier of Amethyst geodes. Since its discovery in the early 19 th century, Brazil has long since been the global leader in the production of Amethyst. ![]() Geology & History of Mining Amethyst Geodes ![]() Varying in size from a few centimeters to several meters in diameter, they represent the absolute pinnacle of Mother Nature’s creation. These hollow gem-filled bubbles, have adorned collections the world over for hundreds of years. Perhaps the most impressive of all the Amethyst varieties is the Amethyst geode. The word “Amethyst” stems back from the ancient Greek word “Amethystos” which translates to sustaining a sound, sober mindset. With its vibrant purple hues, lustrous crystal forms, relative abundance and modest cost, Amethyst is undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular captivating semi-precious gemstones.
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