Is this Amethyst? Nope--its FLUORITE

[Charmin]

I bought an old suitcase at an estate sale the other day . Inside were some old coins and these two pieces of rock/crystals.
Can anyone tell me by looking at the pictures if this is amethyst? Or is true amethyst made of smaller crystals?(the kind that form in a geode?) The color of these pieces is a deep purple.
Thanks for any help!
sandcreek~~

 

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[waterfalljay]

Re: Is this Amethyst?

The shape seems more garnet -like.
Unless they are slices of a larger hexagonal amethyst point...
Are they soft? Fluorite is another possibility.

 

[Charmin]

Re: Is this Amethyst?

The shape seems more garnet -like.
Unless they are slices of a larger hexagonal amethyst point...
Are they soft? Flourite is another possibility.

How do you tell if the material is "soft"?---it looks like really brittle material to me. It looks like its been cut and almost looks like it has layers(like mica?) Here's some more pictures from different angles.
Thanks for the help waterfalljay!!

 

[waterfalljay]

Re: Is this Amethyst?

Fluorite is #4 on the mohs scale, meaning many other minerals eill scratch it. Fluorite also often has a "soapy" feel to it. info about the purple fluorite can be found here:

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/halides/fluorite/fluorite.htm .

Another possibility:
If it has layers like mica, it may be the purple form of mica known as lepidolite. Lepidolite often has small rubelite (pink) tourmaline xl's in it. Lepidolite looks like this:

 

[Charmin]

Re: Is this Amethyst?

Flourite is #4 on the mohs scale, meaning many other minerals eill scratch it. Flourite also often has a "soapy" feel to it. info about the purple flourite can be found here:

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/halides/fluorite/fluorite.htm .

Another possibility:
If it has layers like mica, it may be the purple form of mica known as lepidolite. Lepidolite often has small rubelite (pink) tourmaline xl's in it. Lepidolite looks like this:

Well, comparing my pieces to that picture of Lepidolite you posted, I see that its not like that at all. And another thing about these two pieces--they were at one time just one piece (I think). Because they "fit" together--they have been "cut" triangular. I just looked at the Fluorite link you posted and it might be that!
Thanks again waterfalljay!
sandcreek~~

 

[waterfalljay]

Re: Is this Amethyst?

Definitely fluorite, and it is likely not cut. When you put the two pieces together, you get the classic fluorite double pyramid crystal shape.
Like this:

 

[Charmin]

Re: Is this Amethyst?

Definitely fluorite, and it is likely not cut. When you put the two pieces together, you get the classic fluorite double pyramid crystal shape.
Like this:

Well....COOL...that's it alright! Thanks so much--I really appreciate the ID on this, waterfalljay!
sandcreek~~

 

[waterfalljay]

Re: Is this Amethyst?

[/quote]Well....COOL...that's it alright! Thanks so much--I really appreciate the ID on this, waterfalljay!
sandcreek~~
[/quote]
You're very welcome sandcreek4. When everyone helps we all learn neat new stuff!

 

[Eu_citzen]

If it seems sawed the crystal structure is not realiable for ID, hence its been altered.
Try scratching it with a knife, flourite will get a scratch.

 

[Charmin]

If it seems sawed the crystal structure is not realiable for ID, hence its been altered.
Try scratching it with a knife, flourite will get a scratch.

Yes, it does scratch with a knife.
Thanks Eu_citzen!

 

[reef12]

Yep Fluoride.

So Sand creek you collect Minerals also.

So do I.

See the Fluoride.

I bet from Ill.

Some of mine.

 

[Charmin]

Yep Fluoride.

So Sand creek you collect Minerals also.
So do I.

See the Fluoride.

I bet from Ill.

Some of mine.

I just like rocks, reef12 . If I had to choose what I love the most it would be Indian artifacts----fossils are next in line and then minerals. I don't know a whole lot about any of them, though, but I am trying to learn, so I really appreciate your help.
Thanks!!!
sandcreek