World's largest amethyst to be displayed in Queensland: 28-08-2007
The biggest amethyst geode in the world is to be revealed to the public at a crystal museum in Australia's Queensland.
Mined in Uruguay this January, the crystal formation stands at 3.26 metres tall and 1.37 metres wide and weighs three and a half tonnes. Thought to be 130 million years old, the amethyst is estimated to cost around £36,000.
It is to be showcased at the Crystal Caves museum in Atherton and its size has meant that museum director Rene Boissevain has had to commission a new room to be built to accommodate it.
Mr Boissevain obtained the geode through his friend Carlos Sanchis Pereira, who was part of the team working on excavating the amethyst.
"He was there when they found it and offered it to me as a joke, he didn't think I could handle it, but I could not stop thinking about the world's largest amethyst geode...despite its large price, I surprised him and agreed to buy it," said Mr Boissevain, adding that he was lucky to win the bid since other museums around the world were looking into purchasing it.
The amethyst geode will be part of a new exhibition at the Crystal Caves, including a large rose quartz, dinosaur eggs and an 80 million year old water agate.
© Adfero Ltd
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