{"product_id":"black-amethyst-with-calcite-crystal-los-catalanes-uruguay-76-g","title":"Black Amethyst with Calcite Crystal – Los Catalanes, Uruguay – 76 g","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBlack Amethyst with Calcite Crystal – Los Catalanes, Uruguay – 76 g\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Description\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA striking \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Amethyst with Calcite Crystal\u003c\/strong\u003e from the Los Catalanes Gemological District of Artigas, Uruguay, featuring a pale honey-colored calcite crystal dramatically centered against a densely crystallized charcoal-gray amethyst cavity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary display face contains thousands of tightly packed quartz crystals ranging from smoky gray and silvery lavender to nearly black. Their compact growth produces intense sparkle while retaining the unusually dark visual character for which black amethyst is collected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePositioned prominently inside the cavity is a contrasting calcite crystal in pale honey, cream, and warm champagne tones. The calcite displays an elongated, stepped formation with visible growth layers across its surface. Smaller intergrown sections extend from the central crystal, adding depth without distracting from the dominant form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe contrast is exceptional: the calcite’s softly translucent golden color stands prominently against the dark amethyst background, while the surrounding quartz reflects silver, violet-gray, and occasional warm golden flashes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crystallized surface forms a shallow, curved chamber rather than a flat plate. Darker crystals concentrate toward the recessed center, while lighter gray and nearly colorless quartz frame portions of the perimeter. This natural zoning strengthens the illusion of depth and gives the calcite a dramatic central setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround the cavity is a thick green, charcoal, cream, and golden-tan mineral rind. Its irregular patterns preserve the layered silica and altered volcanic material surrounding the original crystal-bearing opening. The reverse exposes this rugged host structure, revealing contrasting gray-green, tan, rust-brown, and pale cream mineral zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMounted upright on a custom display base, the specimen measures approximately 2 × 1.5 × 2.75 inches and weighs 76 grams. Its dark crystallization, isolated honey calcite, strong color contrast, layered volcanic backing, and compact architectural form make it an especially attractive Los Catalanes collector specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMinerals: Amethyst Quartz with Calcite\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrade Name: Black Amethyst\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormation: Dark amethyst-lined cavity with a prominent central calcite crystal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocality: Los Catalanes Gemological District, Artigas Department, Uruguay\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 76 grams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: Approximately 2 × 1.5 × 2.75 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmethyst Color: Charcoal gray, smoky violet, silvery lavender, dark gray, and near-black\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalcite Color: Pale honey, cream, champagne, and warm beige\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmethyst Habit: Dense, closely intergrown quartz crystals with numerous visible terminations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalcite Habit: Elongated stepped crystal with smaller intergrown sections and visible growth layering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimary Display Face: Shallow crystallized cavity with the calcite positioned prominently near its center\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrystal Zoning: Darker amethyst concentrated within the recessed interior and lighter quartz along portions of the perimeter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRind: Layered green, charcoal, cream, gray, and golden-tan silica and altered volcanic host material\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReverse: Rugged prepared host structure displaying multiple mineralized zones\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Coloration: Likely influenced by dense crystallization, inclusions, surface mineralization, and underlying dark material; exact coloring agents have not been analytically confirmed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLuster: Vitreous and highly sparkling across the amethyst; vitreous-to-pearly across the calcite\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransparency: Transparent-to-translucent quartz and calcite over predominantly opaque supporting material\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChemical Composition: SiO₂ for quartz and CaCO₃ for calcite\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrystal Systems: Trigonal for quartz and trigonal for calcite\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMohs Hardness: Approximately 7 for quartz and 3 for calcite\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMounting: Affixed to a custom display base produced in-house\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisplay: Elevated upright collector specimen\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Natural geological specimen with inherent crystal contacts, incomplete crystals, inclusions, internal fractures, surface mineralization, color variation, irregular edges, and preparation marks associated with extraction and shaping\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExact specimen shown\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Black Amethyst and Calcite\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Black amethyst” is a descriptive collector and trade name for exceptionally dark amethyst formations. It is not a separate mineral species. The near-black appearance may result from deeply colored quartz, dense crystal growth, dark inclusions, surface coatings, or underlying mineralized material visible through translucent crystals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder direct illumination, the crystals reveal considerably more color than the name suggests. Silver-gray, smoky lavender, subtle violet, and nearly colorless reflections emerge across the darker base, showing that the formation is not uniformly opaque black.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalcite commonly occurs alongside amethyst in the volcanic geodes of Artigas. It can develop after the quartz, extending into the remaining open cavity and creating isolated crystals or groups across the earlier amethyst lining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central calcite is particularly effective because its honey-cream coloration contrasts so strongly with the dark quartz. Its stepped surface records changes during crystal growth and creates broader, softer reflections than the numerous small amethyst terminations surrounding it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mineral deposits of Los Catalanes formed within cavities in ancient volcanic rock. Silica-bearing fluids deposited chalcedony, agate, quartz, and amethyst along the cavity walls. Later fluids carrying calcium carbonate could produce calcite over the previously formed quartz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalcite is considerably softer than quartz and possesses perfect cleavage. Handle the specimen only by its custom base and avoid impacts, acids, water, harsh cleaners, and sudden temperature changes. Dust it gently with a soft, dry brush or low-pressure air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis specimen features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural amethyst and calcite from Artigas, Uruguay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLos Catalanes Gemological District locality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnusually dark black-amethyst appearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDense charcoal-gray crystal coverage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmoky violet and silvery-lavender highlights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThousands of reflective quartz terminations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProminent pale honey-colored calcite crystal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttractive stepped calcite growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisible horizontal growth layering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong contrast between dark amethyst and light calcite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecessed crystal-lined chamber\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural color zoning across the quartz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLighter crystal border around portions of the cavity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThick green and charcoal mineral rind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContrasting cream and golden-tan host material\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRugged reverse preserving the supporting structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact 76-gram collector size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately 2.75-inch upright presentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple attractive viewing angles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCustom display base produced in-house\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElevated, ready-to-display presentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExact specimen pictured\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for collectors of Uruguayan amethyst, Artigas minerals, Los Catalanes specimens, black amethyst, smoky amethyst, calcite on amethyst, mineral combinations, dark quartz, mounted minerals, and volcanic-cavity formations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProfessionally packaged and shipped from Colorado.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will receive the exact specimen shown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery order is backed by our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Thank you for supporting our family-owned small business.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Serenity Soul Stones","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50143923765498,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/2328\/8826\/files\/BlackAmethystwithCalciteCrystal_LosCatalanes_Uruguay_76g_4.jpg?v=1787263388","url":"https:\/\/serenitysoulstones.com\/products\/black-amethyst-with-calcite-crystal-los-catalanes-uruguay-76-g","provider":"Serenity Soul Stones","version":"1.0","type":"link"}