Quartz

specimen number:
2292230

location:
Valenciana Mine, Amatitlan, Eduardo Neri, Guerrero, Mexico

description:
A beautiful cluster of deep purple glassy gem quartz crystals without matrix. This is the variety of the species most call amethyst. This is complete all around. Very tiny and minimal micro-damage present as shown in the video, for one of these Mexican classics this piece is in really fine condition.

The Amatitlan mining locality, situated within the Eduardo Neri Municipality in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, is a world-famous source of deep grape-purple amethyst quartz crystals. Geologically, the area features skarn deposits developed within limestone formations along the margins of cooling igneous intrusions. Silica-rich and iron-bearing hydrothermal fluids expelled from these intrusions invaded the limestone, creating cavities and vugs where robust, beautifully zoned amethyst prisms grew alongside grossular-andradite garnet. Mining operations have historically been decentralized, consisting primarily of artisanal surface digging and small-scale underground tunneling at sites like the La Sorpresa mine to extract specimens for the gemstone and collector markets. Active production peaked during the latter half of the twentieth century, particularly from the 1970s through the 1990s. In recent decades, formal and informal mining activities have become largely dormant, with access severely restricted due to regional security issues and localized instability.

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