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Raw amethyst
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Raw amethyst
My post for today is something different than my usual. Since now, my photos were split in four categories: landscapes, plants, insects and mushrooms. I'll add today another one: minerals. (Why there isn't a special genere for minerals and fossils? I'll ask Adam to see if is possible to make one).
The piece in the photo is cca. 4x5 cm in size, I own it in my collection; I took the photo at my home here in Romania, however is not representative for my country and I aquired it in Arizona, therfore I choosed to put the post as belonging to USA.
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz (SiO2) and is a popular gemstone. If it were not for its widespread availability, amethyst would be very expensive. The name "amethyst" comes from the Greek and means "not drunken." This was maybe due to a belief that amethyst would ward off the effects of alcohol, but most likely the Greeks were referring to the almost wine-like color of some stones that they may have encountered. Its color is unparalleled, and even other, more expensive purple gemstones are often compared to its color and beauty. Although it must always be purple to be amethyst, it can and does have a wide range of purple shades.
Amethyst can occur as long prismatic crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the pointed terminations. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its color and nice crystal shapes that produce a handsome, purple, sparkling cluster.
However, amethyst is not the same everywhere. Different localities can produce a unique amethyst to that particular region or even to that particular mine. Experts can often identify the source mine that a particular amethyst came from. The key to this is the specimen's color, shape of crystal, inclusions, associations and character of formation.
Hardness: 7
Crystal system: trigonal
Source |
red45, livios, Dave, klemmg has marked this note useful
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Very little if none recognition has been brought in TN to the mineral world, full of splendour and dramatic colors. Good job on reminding us that nature is not only about the animated beauty.
- red45
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7977]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(26975) - [2005-12-13 5:49]
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Very nice photo of this beautifull crystals. We've got some pieces of raw amethysts at home and it looks wonderfull. Good BG for this kind of shot, very interesting note. I added your picture to my minerals theme.
Hi Petru!
I love amethist. I posted them last year ( you can see them on my old posts) on TN but your is raeally great!
Congrats!
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- livios
(16856)
- [2005-12-13 10:20]
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Petru, a nice new category. Keep them coming.
Great contrast - the dark bg really highlights the main subject.
I like colors too.
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- Dave
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 47 N: 674]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(2171) - [2005-12-13 10:53]
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Variety is nice Petru, and this is a pleasant change from the norm.
It is quite a beautiful sample!
You did an excellent job photographing it for us to enjoy!
Thanks,
Dave
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- klemmg
(1719)
- [2005-12-13 17:14]
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Well captured subject, with all those reflections exposure is not easy without a pol filter!
Regards,
Gabi
