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2.2" Thunder Bay Amethyst Cluster With Hematite
This is a cluster of amethyst crystals with hematite, collected from the Purple Haze Mine near Thunder Bay, Ontario. Much of the amethyst from Thunder Bay is unique in that it has a reddish coating of hematite (an iron based mineral) on the crystals.
About Thunder Bay Amethyst
Amethyst from the Thunder Bay region of Ontario is renowned for its vivid color and striking inclusions, making it one of the most recognizable amethyst varieties in North America. The deposits were first discovered in the 1950s during road construction roughly 30 miles northeast of Thunder Bay, revealing extensive veins and pockets of quartz within ancient volcanic rock. By the 1960s, several mines were in operation, and the area quickly became a major source of high-quality amethyst for both collectors and lapidary use.
Thunder Bay amethyst is known for its impressive color range, spanning from soft, lavender hues to deep, nearly black tones referred to as “black amethyst.” What sets this locality apart, however, is its distinctive red hematite inclusions. These appear as microscopic disks, spherules, or dust-like clouds suspended within the quartz, creating brilliant flashes of red and orange when the crystals catch the light. In some specimens, the hematite is so pervasive that whole sections—and occasionally entire crystals—take on a warm reddish glow. This combination of rich purple quartz and iron-derived coloration gives Thunder Bay amethyst its unmistakable and highly sought-after appearance.
Amethyst from the Thunder Bay region of Ontario is renowned for its vivid color and striking inclusions, making it one of the most recognizable amethyst varieties in North America. The deposits were first discovered in the 1950s during road construction roughly 30 miles northeast of Thunder Bay, revealing extensive veins and pockets of quartz within ancient volcanic rock. By the 1960s, several mines were in operation, and the area quickly became a major source of high-quality amethyst for both collectors and lapidary use.
Thunder Bay amethyst is known for its impressive color range, spanning from soft, lavender hues to deep, nearly black tones referred to as “black amethyst.” What sets this locality apart, however, is its distinctive red hematite inclusions. These appear as microscopic disks, spherules, or dust-like clouds suspended within the quartz, creating brilliant flashes of red and orange when the crystals catch the light. In some specimens, the hematite is so pervasive that whole sections—and occasionally entire crystals—take on a warm reddish glow. This combination of rich purple quartz and iron-derived coloration gives Thunder Bay amethyst its unmistakable and highly sought-after appearance.
SPECIES
Quartz var. Amethyst with Hematite
LOCATION
Purple Haze Mine, Thunder Bay, Ontario
SIZE
2.2" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#46301
