Why is amethyst purple?
Most #amethyst forms when lava with gas bubbles in it hardens and creates rock with cavities (i.e. the lave crusts over before gasses in the lava can escape, leaving a hollow area inside the rock).
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia
The cavities fill with silica-rich liquid that contains trace amounts of iron. Over time, this liquid forms crystals that line the cavity walls. After crystallization, gamma rays, emitted by radioactive materials in the host rock, irradiate the iron to produce the purple color.
The word #amethyst comes from the ancient Greeks who thought it looked like wine and figured the gem prevented its wearer from getting drunk. “Amethystos” is Greek for "not intoxicated."
#nspoli #cbpoli #novascotia
The #BayofFundy is the best-known area for finding amethyst in #NovaScotia (ie #AmethystCove is named for obvious reasons!)
#nspoli @JohnLohrMLA
But there are also a couple interesting but little-known #amethyst occurrences in #Timberlea along the old rail line just west of Governor and and in #Spryfield on the east side of Roach Pond.
#nspoli #novascotia @IainTRankin @bmaguirens
The #Timberlea and #Spryfield occurrences are likely linked, both part of a fault or fracture zone where magmatic activity made it possible for amethyst to form through the process described above.
#nspoli #novascotia
#Amethyst is mainly used in jewelry and as decoration. Brazil is the world’s biggest producer of it but #NovaScotia amethysts probably decorate many homes.
#nspoli #cbpoli #Spryfield #Timberlea
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