Quartz var. Amethyst

Good Amethyst from the British Isles is a rare commodity, yet the China clay pits around St Austell in Cornwall produced many fine specimens. This cabinet specimen from the Rostowrack CCP on Hendra Downs by St Dennis is exceptionally good, both for the quality of its crystals and its good Amethyst colour. Often, Amethyst from the China clay pits is a rather insipid pale purple, but this has a beautiful depth of colour. Many crystals exceed 2 cm in both height and width and display a patchwork of various shades of lilac through to purple. A sub-collection representing the minerals of the St Austell District China clay pits makes an important and fabulous addition to any collection of Cornish specimens.