What may be the largest (at 16+ pounds) and most interesting amethyst agate geode documented to be found in Texas was recently discovered on ‘the Carver’ agate field in West Texas. See photo 2842:

The geode is geologically significant because it is comprised of amethyst quartz and agate, and contains within a approximately 5 1/2″ x 2″ wide void some very outstanding and interesting secondary and tertiary mineralizations which formed on top of the amethyst crystals in the geode center. See photo 2855:

The geode, when discovered, was too large (see photo 194) to be cut on my 16″ diamond saw and accordingly was cut with the assistance of friend and Alpine lapidist, Gordie Sanborn, who has one of the largest diamond saws in the area.

The amethyst and agate rind surrounding the geode’s hollow center is approximately 1 1/5″ thick, with blue agate banding toward the outer area of the rind, running to purple amethyst crystals which have filled in the geode’s center. This specimen coincidentally is a great example of my website’s name, TexasAmethystAgate.com. For this reason, I have recently changed my banner page photos to include two views of this Texas amethyst agate geode. See photos b.slice1, a.geodev2a, and 2842.p. Photo b.slice1 was professionally produced by Alpine photographer, Teresa Huckaby, and does a great job of capturing the color and complexity of this extraordinary geode.

The purple colorization which runs through the entire stone (not just the crystals in the geode’s center) is variable depending upon the type of lighting in which the specimen is viewed and also the brightness of the light and the angle of view. The color will also vary greatly depending upon the device you are using to view this article and photos.

Amethyst geodes are quite a rare find in Texas, and in far West Texas where amethyst geodes are most likely to be found in volcanic formations. Therefore, a really large amethyst geode is certainly remarkable and this specimen is possibly the largest amethyst geode ever documented to have been found in Texas. While I am still investigating this possibility, I can say that, after having conferred with  five West Texas rock experts whom I consider most knowledgeable and experienced with West Texas agates and geodes, I have been told that the largest Texas amethyst geode any of these experts have seen is somewhere in the neighborhood of grapefruit size.

While a softball size amethyst geode (photo 1984) and other amethyst geodes have been occasionally found on ‘the Carver,’ they are quite rare and cause a good deal of interest and excitement when discovered. See photos 761, 774, 1196, 3021, 3058, 2345, 523. While amethyst is a very common material in places like Brazil and other places around the world, it is not common in Texas. If anyone reading this article has documented a larger Texas amethyst agate geode, I would love to see and hear about it.

Also of considerable interest and beauty are the yellow/beige mineralization/crystallizations which have coated the amethyst crystal surfaces in the geode’s center. Even more interesting is the gray/black crystallization which subsequently formed in places on top of the yellow/beige mineralization/crystallization. The gray/black mineralization which crystallized in places on top of the yellow/beige crystallization appears to have intruded into the geode through the agate amethyst rind. This is shown in photo 2856.

I am seeking the expertise of an experienced mineralogist to determine the precise composition of the yellow/beige and gray/black formations on the amethyst crystals in the geode’s center.
In addition, while I enjoy having this geologically significant specimen as a part of my private collection, I am seeking a permanent public home in a Texas museum for this amethyst agate geode. If you are aware of a venue that would like to be ‘home’ to this beauty, please contact me.

When I know more, I will update this report.