Quartz var. Amethyst on Calcite

Item Description

Amethyst from Veracruz state in Mexico is one of those old classics in every collection since the 1950s, but the styles of production have changed a lot over the years even though there are a few classical styles of color and shape that we all know. It comes and goes in large pockets, with some pockets having a distinct feel or color or association that makes them different from the majority of typical production we have seen. This is from one of those strange, one-time pockets - the specimen features gorgeous and sparkly amethysts on a matrix of crystalline calcite! We have only seen this from one pocket, one time. This is a large and beautiful matrix plate, complete 360 degrees around, featuring extraordinarily glassy amethyst crystals to 6 cm standing freely on the matrix. The matrix is not the usual ugly gossan rock or stone rock, but rather a somewhat sparkly plate of mounded up crystals of calcite, mostly small but some to several centimeters. The calcite looks like bumps on alligator skin, for the most part, with the occasional larger scalenohedral crystal mixed in. It is subtle, weird, and interesting all at the same time. The textured matrix really sets off the amethysts, more than most such matrix specimens from here. Simply having a large specimen of this size without damage or repairs is amazing enough - but it is special for this unique association, as well. One more note about the piece, regarding the color: it is a solid medium color for the locale, not the lightest nor the darkest, but what sets the crystals apart from the norm is their unusual sparkle and brightness, perhaps more evident in person. Most Las Vigas amethyst is lustrous, but not as bright and sparkly as this. Gene Meieran collected quartz and had a huge quartz suite (still does), but is narrowing the collection down to a focus on single crystals and letting matrix pieces go. This is a special specimen he cherry-picked from the pocket when it was brought to market (and paid in the low five figures for at the time).