Plant Seeds Inside Amethyst Crystals ... Is That Rare?

[taffinnorfol]

I recently acquired a few pieces of natural amethyst crystal. On close examination I see there are 6 small fan-tailed seeds (they look like palm seeds) deep inside the crystal. It looks as if they were incorporated at the time the crystal formed - they are not a later addition.
Is this an exciting find? It has echoes of dinosaur dna in ancient amber!

[woofgang]

I don't think its seeds. Inclusions in Amethyst are caused by minerals in the growth, not foreign bodies.

[rowanwitch]

amethyst is formed in very high temperatures which is why the colour develops anything organic would be vaporised so I support Woolfgang almost certainly inclusions but they make the raw stone more interesting...

[gen2]

I disagree with what has been said above.

a) Amethyst crystals do NOT form at high temperatures, but the cavity in which they grow usually did.

Most amethysts are found in igneous rocks and the cavity was a gas bubble in the molten lava.

b) However, I have seen small amethyst crystals inside hollow flints in chalk deposits. No heat at all involved there, but the marine environment would virtually exclude the possibility of land plant seeds becoming incorporated. Hollow flints occur when they form around a fossil such as a sponge or an echinoid.

The most likely explanation is as has already been said - a mineral inclusion in the crystal. May I postulate that the fan shaped tails described may actually be fracture zones where the included mineral has put stress on the surrounding lattice.

[taffinnorfol]

Well this is really fascinating. There is no doubt whatsoever that the six objects inside the crystal are three dimensional and organic. They are all pretty identical and look very like tiny seeds with feathery "wings". They are completely amalgamated within the crystal - they are not a later addition through, for example fracture etc. The objects are tan to brown and not crystalline.
Does anyone know a mineralogist who might be interested? I really do think this is something very different.

[jomifl]

Organic? any evidence?

[woofgang]

I have got a block of acrylic with a motorcycle cut into it. They were popular ornaments a few years ago. The bike looks completely solid but in fact its a motorbike shaped "hole" The fact that something looks solid and dimensional doesn't mean that it is.

[jomifl]

interesting pictures here
http://www.quartzpage.de/inc_text.html

[EDDIE51]

>
Sorry, but inless you get them out and have them analysed there is no way to know if they are organic, you can not tell just by looking at them.
I am also sure they are mineral inculsions , this is common in crystals.

[taffinnorfol]

jomifl. Thanks for the link and asking about evidence for organic. What I have is different to any of the photos. The "evidence" is purely visual. The objects in the amethyst are typical parachute seeds. All are slightly different in size. Some of the "seeds" have detached and are embedded separately. Interestingly I have a friend who is a retired commercial geologist with a big interest in fossils. He's coming over later today and will hopefully have a good answer. Will inform afterwards!

[LazyGun]

Have a care, taffin - we do not need Triffids to be re-introduced! :)

[taffinnorfol]

Yes LazyGun, I'm with you on this! My friend (he's actually a chemical engineer but with big expertise in geology) is now as perplexed as I am as are two of his PhD colleagues. Theoretically the inclusions simply should not be there. The only possibility is that they are, or the crystal is, something different. I now find out that the crystals were, allegedly, picked up in Peru - the vendor asserts they are not synthetically produced crystals, which crossed my mind. Of the four that I bought, one has normal dirty inclusions, two are clean, one has these "seeds".
I intend referring them to the Natural History Museum. I'll post any answer I might get (eventually, probably).
Thank you everyone!

[Hadleigh]

Hello Taffin,
I'm googling exactly the thing you are talking about! I have an amethyst shard that definitely does have organ seed inclusions in it. One in particular is very clear under an eye glass! Golden as you said with fine hairs in cone shape with some smaller sprouts. Would be good to know what plants they are. No they are not fracture lines everyone...Taffin is right here in that they are organic inclusions!!

[Hadleigh]

I just found this page regarding amethyst inclusions. agemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=16872
Brown goethite inclusions in amethyst. Still not sure what that is but there is a photo there showing similar inclusions to mine but mine is more of a tight cone. Very similar strands though and not so many units. More research needed!

[JMacBenn]

Hi there. I am a physicist with an interest in crystal formations. I have an amethyst with seeds in also. Its an uncarved, unpolished single piece. The seeds really are quite clear and as previously described. They do shimmer in the light similar to tiger stone. Cone like structure, pointy tip pointing towards the bottom of the crystal. It has 2 to 3 layers of fine brown shimmering hairs.... like a cristmas tree upside down. At the top it is flat and round. Protruding upward are several fine hairs with what appears to be small dot heads on.

i have had the crystal for years and have some good pictures but dont know how to post. As above just fascinated and would love to know what these seeds are and how old they are. Any help? Jon

[Traceek]

I also have a piece (crystal point) amythest with these same seeds (same color described) and definitely organic looking. Would love more info.