Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth and comes in many different colors. Purple quartz crystals, known as amethyst, are found in several areas around Las Cruces. Amethyst forms when water moves through layers of volcanic basalt, picks up iron ions, and forms crystals. The structure of quartz crystals (a lattice of silica tetrahedrons) creates a strong, yet relatively light stone.
Amethyst crystals are often found in geodes, where crystals form inside a cavity in the surrounding rock. This geode comes from Brazil, where the world's largest geodes are found. The geode was thought to be shaped like a human heart and was nicknames "Guan Yin's Heart" in hone of a Chinese goddess.
Collection of Ken Teshima