Great Chevron Amethyst Sphere with Phantom Quartz and Agate

A polished Chevron Amethyst sphere with the distinctive zigzag banding pattern of dark amethyst and milky white rock crystal.

Chevron amethyst is a rare growth form where layers of amethyst and rock crystal form zigzag phantom patterns throughout the entire sphere. Each change in layers documents a phase in the hydrothermal mineralization process.

The material primarily comes from the South African deposits of Brandberg and Boekenhouthoek. This sphere also shows fine agate banding at the transition to the crust, indicating chalcedony phases prior to the amethyst growth.

A sphere is the most challenging cut for chevron material because the phantom pattern becomes three-dimensionally visible on a curved surface, and any asymmetry is immediately noticeable.

The coloration of the amethyst layers varies from deep violet to lighter pinkish-violet, indicating zonal iron trace elements during each growth phase.

A collector's item of the highest class with didactic value: the phantom pattern makes the mineralization history visible.