AMETHYST. ...

Description

AMETHYST
Boulder Batholith, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
Amethyst from the Boulder Batholith of Montana has been known for well over a hundred years. During that period, numerous localities were, and are, being worked for the purple gem. Some sizable and important examples have appeared over the years and a few, such as this one, were deemed significant enough to be included into prominent collections. The large example seen here is composed of a single fragment over eight inches long of Smoky Quartz that is covered on its upper surface with epitaxial overgrowths of other Quartz crystals. These stubby, transparent prisms are mostly of the double-terminated variety and range in hue from colorless to medium violet near their terminations. Some display cloudy white interiors and a number display internal "hopper" type structures.

This particular specimen is from the collection of famous author and gemologist: George F. Kunz, house gem expert for, and Vice-President of, Tiffany et Cie, as well as an employee of the U.S. Geological Survey. He published over 300 articles and a number of books. An auto-didact who never attended college, Dr. (honorary doctorates) Kunz traveled widely on Tiffany business and, consequently, had an unparalleled opportunity to acquire specimens of worth. He was a member of numerous professional societies and among other things, assembled the Morgan-Tiffany Collection of Gems at the American Museum of Natural History. In view of his death in 1932, it can be said that this specimen has to have been recovered no less than 80 years ago and, in all likelihood, over a century ago. There is some "nicking", most of which is confined to the edges of the piece, otherwise it is in fine condition - quite large and fine for specimens from this area and age. Overall measurements are 8 5/8 inches long x 5 ½ inches wide x 3 ½ inches thick and the old collection labels are a part of this lot.

Provenance: Ex. Geore F. Kunz collection; Ex. Ernest Weidhaas collection

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