Quartz (var. Amethyst)

This cabinet-sized specimen features a sparkling cluster of lustrous amethyst crystals from a recent 2018 discovery at a historic, long-closed lead mine near Placentia Bay in eastern Newfoundland. The crystals exhibit a rich purple colour concentrated near the terminations, gradually fading to pale lavender or colourless zones toward the prism bases—an attractive zoning pattern typical of high-quality amethyst. This matrix-free cluster displays beautifully, with glassy luster and sharp form, making it a striking and elegant example of Canadian amethyst. There is bruising on some crystal tips, as is almost expected with La Manche amethyst as much of the vein system underwent post-formation collapse.

The locality, originally discovered in 1855 during the Telegraph Land Company's survey for a trans-Atlantic cable route, began mining operations in 1857 and continued until 1887. A new shaft was later developed in the 1920s, reaching a depth of 122 meters, but a dam break in 1929 led to flooding of the workings. Combined with the economic downturn of the Great Depression, the mine was permanently closed. While the site was historically known for lead and silver, recent discoveries—particularly this 2018 find—have revealed a previously unknown potential for gem-quality amethyst.

The amethyst from this Placentia Bay locality is geochemically distinct, with elevated fluorine and low iron content, contributing to its soft, pastel violet hue. As noted in a 2024 Gems & Gemology article by the GIA, these crystals are among the most unique and visually refined Canadian amethysts ever documented. This specimen is not only an aesthetic piece but also represents a mineralogical rarity from a historically significant and geologically distinctive source.

Read the full report here: https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2024-canadian-amethyst