Heart-Shaped Amethyst Geode Discovered by Miners
A stunning heart-shaped amethyst geode was discovered by miners at the Santa Rosa mine in Artigas, Uruguay, operated by Uruguay Minerals.
The remarkable find occurred when workers split open a basalt rock, revealing a perfectly formed heart shape on both halves of the geode. Described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" discovery, the geode—named "The New Treasure"—required no carving or polishing, showcasing a natural formation so precise it appeared crafted by hand.
The discovery was made shortly after Uruguay Minerals began excavation at the Santa Rosa mine, located near the Uruguay-Brazil border. The region's rugged basalt terrain posed significant challenges for the workers, who were uncertain whether the site would yield anything of value. Their efforts were rewarded with this extraordinary amethyst geode, a rare and flawless testament to nature’s artistry.
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| Stunning Heart-Shaped Amethyst Geode Discovered by Miners in Uruguay. The New Treasure | Photo by: Uruguay Minerals |
“What a treasure!” exclaimed Marcos Lorenzelli of Uruguay Minerals, who said it was the first time the company had ever found such a once-in-a-lifetime gemstone.
Lorenzelli told GNN they have already received a bid of $120,000 for the matching pair of rocks. Due to the basalt, Lorenzelli estimates the weight to be over 176 pounds (80kg).
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz and owes its violet color to irradiation, impurities of iron and in some cases other transition metals, and the presence of other trace elements, which result in complex crystal lattice substitutions
An amethyst geode is a hollow rock with amethyst crystals lining the inner walls, so first the cavity must be formed. This can happen anywhere there is or was lava close to the earth's surface.
The cavities then fill up with a silica-rich liquid that contains trace amounts of iron. Over time, this liquid forms crystals -- six-sided pyramids (rhombohedrons) of amethyst. Crystals with a color that range from light lilac to deep purple are formed when there is a trace of iron in the liquid, resulting in amethyst geodes.
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| By Marcos Lorenzelli – Uruguay Minerals Instagram |
This discovery transcends the realm of science and geology. It's a story of chance, wonder, and the enduring power of beauty to captivate and inspire. So, the next time you encounter something unexpected, remember the heart-shaped amethyst geode, and allow yourself to be surprised by the hidden magic that might just be waiting to be revealed.
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| Heart-Shaped Amethyst Geode |
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