Elestial Amethyst
Elestial Amethyst is a distinctive variety of quartz crystal, specifically a form of amethyst (SiO₂, silicon dioxide) characterized by its unique skeletal or layered growth patterns. These crystals exhibit multiple natural terminations—pointed ends—covering the body and faces of the crystal, often accompanied by etched surfaces, indented formations, or internal "windows" filled with clay or other inclusions.
The growth process involves interruptions followed by resumption, resulting in layered structures akin to an onion, which can include phantom crystals (ghostly outlines of earlier growth stages) visible within the crystal.
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| Elestial Amethyst. Photo Credit: Patrick Gundersen |
In terms of color, Elestial Amethyst displays shades ranging from deep to light purple, occasionally with smoky gray tones due to natural irradiation or inclusions such as specular hematite, which can impart a metallic sheen. It forms in hydrothermal vein environments, where silica-rich solutions deposit minerals in cavities within host rocks, often in association with other quartz varieties.
Elestial Amethyst Key features include
- Crystal Structure: Typically composed of large, well-formed quartz crystals with multiple faces and terraces. These create a layered, step-like or “elestial” structure.
- Surface Features: Often displays natural striations, ridges, and small cavities. Internal clay-filled “windows” are common, showing past growth interruptions.
- Coloration: Ranges from smoky quartz tones to deep amethyst purple, sometimes with color zoning or banding along crystal faces.
- Special Traits: Elestial quartz is prized for its unique visual complexity, metaphysical associations, and collector value.
In short, elestial amethyst is not just a single crystal—it’s a record of repeated growth, etching, and healing, which gives it its layered, ghost-like aesthetic.
Australian Elestial Amethyst Crystals
Australian elestial amethyst is renowned for its striking beauty and complex crystal formations. Key characteristics include:
- Localities: Most notable specimens come from Harts Range, Northern Territory, and Cloncurry Shire, Queensland. These regions are known for producing high-quality, large crystals with exceptional clarity and color.
- Appearance: Typically features a milky quartz base overlaid with bi-pyramidal amethyst or smoky quartz faces.
- Size: Australian elestials can form very large crystals, sometimes weighing several pounds, making them highly prized by collectors.
- Collector Appeal: The combination of size, clarity, color zoning, and elestial growth features makes Australian specimens particularly desirable for mineral collectors and crystal enthusiasts.
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| Elestial Amethyst quartz crystal featuring skeletal growth, multiple terminations from Australia. Photo Credit: Patrick Gundersen, |
A prominent locality for these crystals is the Harts Range in the Northern Territory, Australia. For instance, Patrick Gundersen, known for his exploration under the handle @crystals_of_australia, discovered a significant specimen in this region.
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