Quartz var: Amethyst with Calcite

Item Description

Idar-Oberstein, Germany is one of the great gem cutting and lapidary centers of the world. It is the largest city in the Hunsrück area, and became famous for cutting and polishing stones as far back as the 1400s. The locals used the power of the Nahe River to turn the wheels of the mills in order to grind, shape and polish Agates which were locally available. Eventually in the 1800s, there was little material left to mined, and some residents ended up moving to Brazil, where gem material was abundant and inexpensive. It was in turn shipped back to Idar-Oberstein for cutting/polishing, keeping the industry alive. In addition to the Agates, there are some beautiful specimens of Amethyst found around Idar-Oberstein, which are somewhat similar to those from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This piece is an exposed geode filled with dozens of sharp, gemmy, lustrous, purple crystals of Amethyst which play host to a single rich orange colored crystal of Calcite measuring 1.3 cm. The Calcite gets it color from iron inclusions, but it creates a beautiful stark contrast against the Amethyst. Although this is classic material, these Amethyst specimens are RARE on the market, collected many many years ago, and prized by collectors, especially those in Germany for their historical significance, along with their visceral beauty. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.