Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Amethyst and Smoky Quartz from Diamond Hill, South Carolina

Diamond Hill Smoky/Amethyst Cluster  photos by Peachfront Press


Today I want to take a quick look at an unusual quartz that can be mined in Diamond Hill, South Carolina.  A rock club from Louisiana visited the Diamond Hill Mine, and one of the rock hounds found and brought back this beautiful crystal cluster.  It weighs over 50 pounds so it's a heck of a specimen.  But what's really interesting about it is that it usually looks like Smoky (Blackish) Quartz.

Yet from some angles, in some light, you can definitely see the purple cast of true Amethyst crystals among these stones.  

It is not an easy effect to photograph but maybe you can get a glimpse from this close-up: 

Detail of giant Diamond Hill cluster by Peachfront Press


Hmm.  Or maybe not.  But the smaller crystals in the center bottom have a distinctively purple cast in person.

To me the Diamond Hill crystals are a perfect example of the close relationship between Smoky and Amethyst. In my opinion, they both have a soothing, spiritual, and anti-anxiety kind of energy.  I don't offer healing advice -- that's way beyond my pay grade! -- but personally I think these two stones work very well together and that they have similar (or at least very compatible) energies.


Note:  The particular cluster in the picture may be for sale but only to someone who can arrange to pick it up in southeast Louisiana.  It is too heavy to ship.  But if you'd like more information, please contact Elaine Radford at Peachfront Press.