Pink Amethyst Plate - Specimen

Locality: Sidi Rahal, nestled in the Atlas Mountains east of Marrakech, Morocco 

Description: "Pink amethyst" from Sidi Rahal is a trade name. The pink in these pieces does not come from the amethyst itself. It comes from the chalcedony rims of the nodules the crystals grow in.

Sidi Rahal lies in Morocco's Atlas Mountains east of Marrakech. Here, silica-filled nodules up to 25 cm across formed in cavities in Triassic volcanic rock. A study in GIA's Gems & Gemology (Fall 2013) found that their pink outer rim is opal-CT, a poorly crystalline form of silica. The red to red-brown layer just inside gets its colour from the iron oxides hematite and goethite. The interior is blue-grey to white chalcedony.

True amethyst is quartz coloured purple by traces of iron combined with natural radiation. In these plates, a layer of pale lilac amethyst crystals sits on the pink chalcedony rim, so the overall effect reads as pink.

Each plate is pale amethyst druse on a pink chalcedony rim.

In crystal traditions, pink amethyst is associated with intuition and a gentle, nurturing energy.

Chakra: Heart, Third-eye, and Crown Chakras

Chemical Composition: SiO2

Approximate size for 1 piece: 69mm x 53mm x 13mm
Approximate weight for 1 piece: 74g

Pieces: 1

We do our best to buy quality products- although not every rock is the same. If you choose to purchase the "staff pick option", we will select the best of the batch for you. Otherwise, it will be at random from the larger batch we have in stock.