Posted 7 years ago
mikelv85
(1232 items)
It sure has been a while since I've posted anything but I've been around keeping tabs on everyone and all the great things you've been finding. Just been kind of busy with the everyday ho-hum stuff plus my treasure hunting has been far less productive than it used to be. However, last week I was at the antique store where I have a booth and a young man came in wanting to sell some healing crystals. I know a bit about the theory behind them but really wasn't able to identify any of them. He wanted only five dollars each so I picked the two I thought were the most interesting. He had a piece of geode but it was rather small so I passed. I think they were Amethyst crystals on that piece. The largest piece I did buy was composed of large upright crystals. It kind of reminded me of cathedral spires. Nice green color with even a touch of clear and rose at the tip. It's 6" tall by 4 " across and weights a hefty 4 to 5 lbs. The smaller purple crystal which is 2.5" x 1.5" has been faceted and polished. Really interesting structure. Clear internal crystals with a dark purple netting winding through the whole piece. I have no clue what either of these are. Any rock-hounds out there have a better eye for these than I do ?? -Mike
NOTE: So a bit of research turned up fairly positive ID's on these two specimens. The large green piece is Green Tri-color Apache Calcite. The Small purple point is as I suspected, Amethyst. The crystal clusters are taken from the inside of a geode and then cut and polished to a point. So you get all the sparkle from the little individual crystals through the interior. There can be other trace minerals in there as well such as agate and quartz. You also come across Amethyst spheres also taken from geodes which have the same "cracked ice" look to the interior. -Mike-
My first thought for the green/pink was watermelon tourmaline. But I'm really not sure. The blue one, is a mystery which I'll try and look for.
https://www.healingcrystals.com/Watermelon_Tourmaline_Rods__Pakistan_.html
Thanks so much for the "loves" and comments Gillian and Ken. I'll try not to make myself so scarce Ken...just been busy with the store and all.
Good to see another post from you. I have a healing crystal but I can't recall which one it is. They look neat.
Thank you Fort for the "love" and comment...getting the store ready for the holidays as they quickly approach but I'll find time to post more goodies. :)
Thanks for the "loves" Aura, Roy, Newfld, The Gatherer, Kevin, Kyra, and Tassie. :)
The crystal cluster looks most like calcite to me, but my mineralogical knowledge is limited. The other stone is truly mysterious & unfortunately it's very difficult to make sense of it from photos alone. Titanium crystal my best shot here.
Nice find for the price!
Thinking fluorite/calcite for the cathedral, the purple one... cut facets and polished with color concentrate in cracks... telling dyed quartz :-)
Thanks Cameosleuth and Kyra for the info and "loves". I had a hunch calcite for the big one as well. It seemed to match the online pics fairly well. I guess Mexican calcite is the best according to my research. Still nothing on the purple one. I took a better picture of it with the desk lamp shining through it. I think it shows off the structure more clearly. :)
Thanks for the "loves" Ivonne and SpiritBear. :)
Iolite cut to look like a crystal? Seems a bit too red in the new pic.
Thanks Cameoslueth...my research finally turned up a polished point taken from the interior of an Amethyst geode. :)
That was my impression from the color, that it was amethyst. Just didn't know why amethyst would have to be cut to look like a crystal the way rose quartz does. Are there inclusions/internal fractures creating some of the effects?
Hi cameosleuth...yes they are and they do very quite a bit in color and intensity. They can also be polished into spheres. Just for aethstetics I guess. Here's a link to a few on Etsy. :)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/554303000/large-amethyst-geode-point?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-spirituality_and_religion-other&utm_custom1=5bd8ffe3-3d51-4869-888e-e7b9256e4c72&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7ZGs2dix1wIVB0wNCh071ALEEAQYBCABEgKHQ_D_BwE
Hum... Mike, the deep color IN crackles of your stone, indicate dying... see the Amethyst Citrine or Rose Quartz with SUPER-saturated color part in this link:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/238884-rocks-and-minerals--healing-crystals-a?in=activity
A test to be sure would be an aceton impregnated swab applied and rub at the bottom :-)
KT, Your link goes to this page.
Mike, if you're wondering where to get acetone, in the nail polish aisle; it's used as a remover.
Had some 100% acetone handy...the result is negative. The surface is smooth as glass and nothing came off on the Q-tip.
Good news :-))
Hey there Mike! Nice to hear from you, and yes, the crystals are great. Who could outdo nature?
I've been pretty quiet myself lately on CW, busy with life and stuff!
Hi Karen so nice to hear from you...yes we've both been strangers on CW lately...lol. The holidays are coming and Sis and I have to get the booth decked out at the antique mall for some record sales... well hopefully. Our Christmas open house is the first weekend of December. She drives in from New Jersey which is about a 10 hour drive to Ohio to bring her auction treasures. It's always fun to see what she's picked up ! I'll try not to be so absent once thing are under control . :)
The multi color, with all those beautiful crystals, is fantastic Mike! Great piece : )
Thanks Rick.....it is quite a large piece too with wonderful colors. :)
Love these crystals Mike and you have been missed .
Aww...Thanks Mani...I've been lurking in the shadows though...lol . Just not posting much lately. Merry Christmas ! ;)