Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Coober Pedy, Australia
SIZE : 16 x 19 x 13.5 cm

This sample is composed by a group of stalactic crystals of amethyst. It measures 19 x 16 x 13.5 cm.

This specimen arises from Coober Pedy in Australia, a famous deposit for its opals. The Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle obtained this sample as a gift from Mr. Sytja in 1977. It is kept today in the storage rooms of the collections (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Quartz
VARIETY :Amethyste

HISTORY : Name inspired by "quarz", old german word "querch" meaning dwarf

Species known since Prehistory

Type-locality: undefined because species already known by the Ancients

CHEMICAL FORMULA : SiO 2
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Rhomboedric
COLOR : Colourless, white, pink, violett, black, yellow
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to opaque
LUSTER : Vitreux to greasy
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic crystals, massive, forming aggregates
HARDNESS : 7
DENSITY : 2,66

CHEMICAL CLASS : IV - Oxides and hydroxide
GROUP : Quartz
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 4/D.01-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 4.DA.05

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Quartz

Amethyst

MNHN N°177.74

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