The Anahí Ametrine Mine, Bolivia


Paulo M. Vasconcelos
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Queensland
Brisband, Queensland, Australia

Hans R. Wenk
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of California
Berkeley, California, USA

George R. Rossman
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology
Pasasdena, California, USA


Abstract

The Anahí mine, Bolivia, has produced large amounts of amethyst, citrine, and amethyst-citrine for the gem market. Field and experimental investigations conclusively show that the amethyst-citrine color combination in quartz crystals from Anahí is natural and does not result from laboratory treatment. The unusual color patterns probably result from the uncommon geologic conditions under which these quartz crystals formed, although the crystal chemical properties constrolling the sector color zoning still elude explaination. From 1989 to the present, more than 100 tons of ametrine crystals, yielding 40-80 kb of cutting rough per ton, have been produced.

Gems & Gemology (1994)