Quartz var. Amethyst, with Feldspar

Item Description

Fine, attractive Amethyst specimen from the well-known Brandberg Area in Namibia. The 4.6 cm crystal is nearly doubly-terminated, with the lower end firmly encasing the knob of matrix as the Amethyst projects jauntily at just a slight angle off vertical. The glassy luster is superb, and the edges are razor sharp. On one side there are a few small sidecar Amethysts, and a glassy series of skeletal growth whose terraces you see in the first photo as an apparent notch. Gemmy with a great deal of internal crazing, just a little bit of backlighting makes the interior look like a tall building under construction, with lights strung from end-to-end on each level. Already attractive, the distinct purple phantoms along the edges of the main termination raise the interest level and make the aesthetics even better. The Feldspar on the matrix has a whitish fluorescence to it, so the two colors combine to give these crystals a bright, fleshtone radiance. Matrix specimens of Amethyst are uncommon from the Brandberg Area and the associated Goboboseb Mts, so that is just another reason to appreciate this choice and nearly-pristine small-cabinet specimen.