Quartz

specimen number:
8311391

location:
Piedra Parada, Las Vigas, Veracruz, Mexico

description:

Beautiful cluster of glassy gem deep purple quartz crystals with little attached matrix. This is the variety of the species known as amethyst. In super condition with razor-sharp crystals.

The Piedra Parada locality, situated near the town of Las Vigas de Ramirez in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, is world-renowned for producing some of the most aesthetic and elegant quartz specimens ever discovered. Geologically, the deposit consists of a series of hydrothermal veins and pockets hosted within Tertiary-aged volcanic rocks, specifically andesites and rhyolites, where mineral-rich fluids crystallized in open cavities. The site is most famous for its amethyst, which typically occurs as slender, elongated, and highly transparent prisms that exhibit a delicate light to medium purple color, often concentrated toward the crystal terminations. Historically, while local residents have known of the crystals for generations, the area gained significant international attention in the late 20th century as a premier source for mineral collectors. Unlike large-scale industrial metal mines, Piedra Parada is characterized by artisanal and small-scale surface and underground workings focused specifically on the hand-extraction of mineral specimens. Today, the area remains an active and important locality, with seasonal mining continuing to provide the global market with the iconic, lustrous amethyst clusters that define the Veracruz style.

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