Not even scientists are 100 percent sure exactly how amethyst geodes form.They're
rocks that seem plain on the outside but when opened reveal a cavity in the
middle filled with beautiful crystals. The general scientific agreement is that
amethyst geodes are created in a two-step process. First, there's the formation
of the cavity and then the formation of the crystals.
An amethyst geode is a hollow rock with amethyst crystals lining the inner walls, so first the
cavity must be formed. This can happen anywhere there is or was lava close to
the earth's surface. As a result, amethyst geodes can be found in thousands of
places around the globe. The first step in the natural process that creates
amethyst geodes is the formation of gas cavities in lava. The gas cavities can
form from bubbles. Some scientists imagine that the cavities can also be formed
when cooling lava flows near tree roots or other things sticking out of the
ground. The cooling lava hardens completely before filling in around the
boulder, creating a cavity.
The cavities then fill up with a liquid that contains small amounts of iron. Over time, this liquid forms crystals of
amethyst. Crystals with a color that range from light lilac to deep purple are formed when there is a trace of iron in the liquid, resulting in amethyst
geodes.
rocks that seem plain on the outside but when opened reveal a cavity in the
middle filled with beautiful crystals. The general scientific agreement is that
amethyst geodes are created in a two-step process. First, there's the formation
of the cavity and then the formation of the crystals.
An amethyst geode is a hollow rock with amethyst crystals lining the inner walls, so first the
cavity must be formed. This can happen anywhere there is or was lava close to
the earth's surface. As a result, amethyst geodes can be found in thousands of
places around the globe. The first step in the natural process that creates
amethyst geodes is the formation of gas cavities in lava. The gas cavities can
form from bubbles. Some scientists imagine that the cavities can also be formed
when cooling lava flows near tree roots or other things sticking out of the
ground. The cooling lava hardens completely before filling in around the
boulder, creating a cavity.
The cavities then fill up with a liquid that contains small amounts of iron. Over time, this liquid forms crystals of
amethyst. Crystals with a color that range from light lilac to deep purple are formed when there is a trace of iron in the liquid, resulting in amethyst
geodes.