| Specimen Details | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.36 oz’s – 10.11 g |
| Dimensions | 1.5″ long (3.8 cm’s) |
| Country of Origin | Veracruz, Mexico |
High Grade Veracruz Amethyst Phantom Quartz Crystal
USD $20.00
SKU: A1146
This Amethyst Crystal Cluster from Veracruz Mexico features gorgeous lavender color with awesome form sporting striking striations and etchings, plus shining luster and Phantom form!! This specimen is in excellent condition.
In stock
Use the tabs below to explore crystal origins, geological details, crystal care guidance, and metaphysical insights.
- Description & Dimensions
- Amethyst
- Vera Cruz Amethyst
- Etched
- Phantom
- Amethyst Cluster
- Double Terminated
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Amethyst Origins & Background
Amethyst has been valued across cultures for thousands of years for its rich violet coloration and its association with clarity, balance, and composure. The name Amethyst originates from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated,” reflecting an ancient belief that the stone helped maintain clear thinking and moderation.
Historically, Amethyst was considered a stone of royalty and spiritual authority. It adorned crowns, rings, and ceremonial objects in Ancient Greece and Rome and later throughout medieval Europe. Its purple color was rare and strongly associated with wisdom, restraint, and elevated status.
Significant Amethyst deposits are found in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Madagascar, and Russia. Each locality produces crystals with distinctive growth habits, color zoning, and internal features, making provenance an important consideration for collectors and natural crystal enthusiasts.
Amethyst’s coloration develops through trace amounts of iron within the Quartz lattice combined with natural irradiation and geological heating over extended time periods. This process often creates layered growth zones that contribute to the depth and visual complexity seen in higher-quality specimens.
Some Amethyst crystals display structural growth features such as internal windows, phantoms, record keepers, and time-link faces. These are physical indicators of crystal formation traits and are valued for both the insight they provide into natural growth processes and to possible Metaphysical propoties.
Amethyst Geological Information
Amethyst is a violet variety of Quartz (Silicon Dioxide – SiO₂) that typically forms within cavities, veins, and geodes in igneous and metamorphic rock environments. Crystals usually grow as hexagonal prisms with pointed terminations.
The purple coloration results from trace iron incorporated into the Quartz structure combined with natural irradiation from surrounding rock. Subsequent geological heating stabilizes these color centers, producing hues that range from pale lavender to deep royal purple.
Amethyst commonly forms in volcanic environments, particularly within gas cavities of cooling basalt flows. Over millions of years, silica-rich fluids crystallize slowly, allowing layered growth and the development of internal zoning and structural features.
Common Geological Occurrences
- Volcanic basalt cavities and geodes
- Hydrothermal Quartz veins
- Metamorphic rock environments
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Quartz (Amethyst variety) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO₂ |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
Amethyst Crystal Care & Ownership Advice
⚠️ Sunlight & Heat:
Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight or heat may cause some Amethyst specimens to fade over time. For long-term preservation, extended placement in direct sunlight is best avoided.
✋ Handling:
Amethyst is relatively durable, but sharp impacts can chip crystal points or edges. Handle specimens gently, especially clusters and terminated points.
🧼 Cleaning:
Clean Amethyst using lukewarm water and a soft brush. Avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, or abrasive tools, which may damage crystal surfaces.
📦 Storage & Display:
Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight or high heat may cause some Amethyst specimens to fade over time.
For long-term preservation, extended placement in direct sunlight is best avoided. Indirect light or filtered natural light is ideal for display. This preserves color while still allowing the crystal’s natural beauty to be appreciated.
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Vera Cruz Amethyst Origins & Background
Vera Cruz Amethyst is a distinctive variety of Amethyst sourced exclusively from the Vera Cruz region of Mexico. It is renowned for its exceptionally slender, elongated crystal habit, high clarity, and refined lavender-to-light-violet coloration.
Unlike many Amethyst varieties that form as robust points or clusters, Vera Cruz Amethyst typically grows as thin, laser-like crystals, often in delicate sprays or singular wand-like formations. These crystals are naturally terminated and rarely require cutting or shaping.
Vera Cruz Amethyst gained recognition relatively recently compared to classic Amethyst localities, but has quickly become highly sought after by collectors, energy practitioners, and mineral enthusiasts due to its purity, form, and energetic reputation.
The region’s geological conditions allow for unusually clean crystal growth, with minimal inclusions and a distinctive glassy luster. This contributes to the refined appearance and precision-focused character for which Vera Cruz Amethyst is known.
Because of their fragility and unique growth habit, intact Vera Cruz Amethyst specimens are increasingly uncommon, and careful handling is essential to preserve their natural form.
Vera Cruz Amethyst Geological Information
Vera Cruz Amethyst is a violet variety of Quartz (Silicon Dioxide – SiO₂), forming under hydrothermal conditions within volcanic host rock. It shares the same fundamental chemistry as all Amethyst, but differs significantly in crystal habit and formation style.
Crystals grow slowly from silica-rich fluids, allowing elongated, narrow prisms to develop with sharp natural terminations. The pale coloration reflects lower iron concentrations compared to darker Amethyst varieties, combined with stable irradiation conditions.
Vera Cruz Amethyst commonly forms in association with fine Quartz druze and delicate crystalline matrices. The resulting crystals are often free-standing and lightly attached, contributing to their airy, fragile appearance.
Common Geological Occurrences
- Hydrothermal Quartz veins
- Volcanic rock cavities
- Fine crystalline matrices and druze
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Quartz (Vera Cruz Amethyst variety) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO₂ |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
Vera Cruz Amethyst Crystal Care & Ownership Advice
⚠️ Fragility:
Vera Cruz Amethyst is structurally delicate. The slender crystal points can snap or chip easily if dropped or knocked. Handle with particular care.
☀️ Sunlight & Heat:
As with most Amethyst, prolonged exposure to strong sunlight or heat may cause gradual fading. Display in indirect or filtered light.
🧼 Cleaning:
Clean gently using lukewarm water and a very soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners or abrasive tools.
📦 Storage & Display:
Display on padded surfaces or within protective cases. Avoid stacking with heavier or harder minerals.
Vera Cruz Mining Region Photos
Etched Quartz
For what and How Does One Use it?
Etched crystals are fascinating and powerful beings! The etching generally indicates the crystal is jam packed full of information. There are many ways to access this wisdom – though the primary way is to use the etching itself. To do this, get comfortable and hold the crystal in your hands – view the etching as a kind of braille language. Clear your mind, and let your hands gently caress the etching on the crystal as if reading braille. Sometimes your hands appear to take on a life of their own, seemingly moving at random – take this as a sign that you are indeed interacting with and “reading” the crystal. Do not be disillusioned if this process does not occur for you, as you may very well be receiving the information at a subconscious level – for later retrieval by your intuition. Another way to access this information is to simply gaze at/into the etching of the quartz crystal. If your eyes start to drift out of focus, this is a good indication you are interfacing with the crystal and it is passing wisdom across to you.
As mentioned above – etching can occur in many different varieties of Quartz. Etching is a good indication that the particular crystal in question is an ancient and knowledgeable being. As with any elder generation, respect and honor goes along way to the wisdom these light beings are willing to share.
It would be fair to say Elestial crystals are the royalty of the Etched Quartz families. Due to their often skeletal layers, these crystals display a breathtaking array of etching. Many Elestial crystals have a different style of etching/language on every side and termination face!
Read more regarding Etched Quartz Crystal Properties at the link below (will open in a new tab/window)….
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Phantom Quartz Origins & Background
Phantom Quartz is one of the most symbolically powerful growth forms in the Quartz family. These crystals contain visible internal “phantoms” — ghost-like images of earlier stages of the crystal’s own development preserved within the body of the crystal itself.
Each phantom represents a pause, interruption, or shift during the crystal’s growth cycle. Rather than halting development permanently, the Quartz resumes growth and carries the record of that moment forward. Because of this, Phantom Quartz has long been associated with evolution, resilience, and the ability to move forward after disruption.
Phantom Quartz occurs in many Quartz varieties, including Clear Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Amethyst, and included forms. Each variety adds its own nuance to the phantom’s expression and influence.
Phantom Quartz Geological Information
Phantom Quartz forms when a crystal’s growth is temporarily interrupted by the introduction of another substance or a change in environmental conditions. This interruption leaves a visible layer on the crystal’s termination before growth resumes, encapsulating that earlier stage within the final crystal.
Common Phantom-Causing Materials
- Chlorite: often green phantoms
- Hematite: red, brown, or metallic phantoms
- Clay or sediment: pale or earthy-toned phantoms
- Thermal changes: color-zone phantoms (often Smoky or Amethyst)
3D Phantom Formation
The most powerful and visually striking phantoms are referred to as 3D phantoms. In these specimens, the interrupting material fully coats the termination, creating a complete three-dimensional “crystal within a crystal.”
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Quartz (Phantom growth) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO₂ |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Defining Feature | Visible internal growth stages |
Phantom Quartz Crystal Care & Ownership Advice
⚠️ Handling:
Handle gently to protect internal clarity and phantom visibility. Lift from the base where possible.
🧼 Cleaning:
Brief water rinsing is generally safe. Avoid prolonged soaking if fractures or inclusions are present.
☀️ Light:
Protect Smoky and Amethyst Phantom Quartz from prolonged intense sunlight.
📦 Storage & Display:
Display with good lighting to reveal internal phantoms. These crystals benefit from being seen and consciously worked with.
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Amethyst Clusters Origins & Background
Amethyst Clusters are among the most recognized and widely collected forms of Amethyst. Rather than growing as single points, clusters consist of multiple crystal points sharing a common base, creating a radiating crystalline surface.
The appearance of Amethyst clusters varies significantly depending on geological conditions, growth environment, and locality. Factors such as available space, mineral concentration, temperature stability, and fluid movement all influence point size, density, color zoning, and overall structure.
Some clusters form as dense carpets of small points, while others develop fewer but larger, well-terminated crystals. Color can range from pale lavender to deep violet, sometimes with zoning, phantoms, or smoky undertones.
Major sources of Amethyst clusters include Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Madagascar, and Russia. Each region is known for distinct characteristics — for example, Uruguay is often associated with deeper color saturation, while Brazil commonly produces larger clusters with lighter hues.
Because clusters form in open cavities, their growth is influenced by the shape and size of the host rock, resulting in highly individual specimens with natural variation and character.
Amethyst Clusters Geological Information
Amethyst clusters form when silica-rich fluids enter open cavities within volcanic or metamorphic rock and crystallize over long periods. Multiple crystal points nucleate simultaneously on the cavity walls, growing inward toward the center.
The trigonal crystal structure of Quartz causes crystals to grow as six-sided prisms with pointed terminations. When conditions allow many growth sites to remain active at once, clusters develop rather than isolated points.
Variations in fluid chemistry, temperature, and mineral availability can cause differences in point size, clarity, and coloration within a single cluster. Growth interruptions may result in features such as phantoms, growth lines, or uneven point heights.
The characteristic purple color of Amethyst results from trace iron within the Quartz lattice combined with natural irradiation and subsequent geological heating.
Common Geological Occurrences
- Volcanic basalt cavities and geodes
- Hydrothermal Quartz veins
- Metamorphic rock environments
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Quartz (Amethyst variety) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO₂ |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
Amethyst Clusters Crystal Care & Ownership Advice
⚠️ Sunlight & Heat:
Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight or heat may cause some Amethyst clusters to fade over time. Indirect or filtered light is recommended for display.
✋ Handling:
While Quartz is relatively hard, cluster points can chip if struck. Lift clusters from the base rather than by individual points.
🧼 Cleaning:
Clean using lukewarm water and a soft brush to remove dust between points. Avoid harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners.
📦 Storage & Display:
Place clusters on stable surfaces where they are unlikely to be bumped. Padding beneath the base can help prevent accidental movement.
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Double Terminated Quartz Origins & Background
Double Terminated Quartz refers to Quartz crystals that naturally form with a termination at both ends, rather than the more common single-point growth where one end is attached to a matrix or host rock. This is a true growth habit, not a separate mineral species, and it can occur in clear quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, and included varieties depending on locality and conditions.
Double termination typically forms when a Quartz crystal grows in an open cavity where both ends remain free, or when the crystal grows in a fluid or clay-rich environment that allows it to develop without permanently attaching to a host surface. Because this requires specific stability and space during growth, fine double terminated specimens are less common than standard points.
Some double terminated crystals are true “floaters,” meaning they grew completely free and may show overall symmetry, clear faces, and terminations at both ends. Others may have one end slightly more developed, or show subtle contact points where the crystal briefly touched surrounding material during growth.
In the marketplace, it is important to distinguish natural double termination from cut or polished pieces. Authentic double terminated Quartz shows natural growth lines, consistent termination geometry, and unpolished faces (unless the specimen has been intentionally polished as a separate treatment, which should be disclosed).
Double Terminated Quartz Geological Information
Double Terminated Quartz is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system, like all Quartz. The double terminated form is created by growth conditions rather than chemistry.
This habit most commonly develops in:
- Open vugs or cavities where the crystal can grow unobstructed
- Clay beds or sediment pockets that allow crystals to form as “floaters”
- Stable hydrothermal environments with long growth windows
Because Quartz is durable and chemically stable, double terminated crystals often preserve their terminations well—though tips can still chip if struck.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Quartz (Double Terminated growth habit) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO₂ |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Defining Feature | Natural terminations on both ends |
Why Double Termination Matters (Structurally)
From a formation perspective, the key difference is that energy of growth and crystallographic development occurred in two directions. This often creates a strong sense of symmetry and “completeness,” which is one reason these crystals are treasured both aesthetically and in metaphysical practice.
Double Terminated Quartz Crystal Care & Ownership Advice
⚠️ Handling:
Double Terminated Quartz has two vulnerable ends. Always lift from the center or base area and avoid tapping either termination against hard surfaces.
🧼 Cleaning:
Water-safe for brief rinsing. Avoid prolonged soaking if the crystal contains fractures or inclusions. Dry thoroughly.
☀️ Light:
Clear Double Terminated Quartz is light-stable. Colored varieties (smoky/amethyst) should be protected from prolonged intense sunlight.
📦 Storage & Display:
Store cushioned and separated from other specimens to protect both tips. For display, use stable stands that support the center without pressure on terminations.
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