Amethyst with unusual style growths

Item Description

A sparkling jewel of clusters of rich purple amethyst: Botryoidal Amethyst is quite rare worldwide, and while these were understandably first identified as agate or chalcedony, subsequent analysis by Dr. George Rossman at Caltech concluded that these are truly Amethyst. The 2 mm botryoids, a truly unusual habit for Amethyst, have an excellent, sparkly luster that really enhances the lovely, various shades of purple. These specimens were mined, both on and off shore, from the clay zones trapped among pillow lavas. The form of this small cabinet piece is balanced and sculptural, with those strange, aesthetic tentacle-like outgrowths atop. Two-sided, this is a fine example of the 'Grape' Amethysts from Indonesia that made such a splash last decade. For reference, see the article in 2018 The Mineralogical Record issue, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 827-836. Recently deaccessed from the Tim Sherburn collection.