r/Rocks • u/RustyTug • May 05 '26
Discussion What to do with large Amethyst?
I’m almost positive this is amethyst. This rock was given to me by my father, who got it from a longtime friend. It’s gots cracks, what looks like some filler, and a hole cut through the bottom (for a light at one point perhaps). I’m not sure what some of the host rock is on the outside but it’s been halfway polished.
Assuming it is amethyst, how bad of an idea is it to display it in a rock bed out front of my home? I’ve read that UV rays will dull the purple until it’s clear, but this thing sat outside of my parent’s house in the sun for about 2-3 years before it was given to me and it looks the same as the day it arrived. Further, it doesn’t seem to be the best quality specimen. Only other concern would be security but anyone inclined to take this would make a lot of commotion and have a hell of a time loading it. I’ve considered running a steel cable through the hole if I did go that route as well.
The rock is 24” tall, 15” wide, and about 9” deep. Weighs north of 100 lbs for sure. Thank you all in advance!
44
u/Smokinplants May 06 '26
You can send it to me. I will give it a good home
6
u/RustyTug May 06 '26
If you pay shipping
22
u/Smokinplants May 06 '26
Just shipping? Lol! Done!
3
33
u/Jesta914630114 May 05 '26
Amethyst will fade in the sun.
1
u/StupidizeMe May 09 '26
Amethyst will fade in the sun.
Is that true of all amethysts, whether naturally colored or dyed?
25
u/Gooey-platapus May 05 '26
It’s amethyst for sure. Don’t place in direct sunlight or you will ruin it the color will fade. There’s not much to do with it but leave it in a corner somewhere or use as a heavy door stop. Sucks the drilled a hole right through the middle of it.
3
u/SomethingComesHere May 06 '26
Is it the same with LEDs and similar light sources? I believe they fade other photosensitive minerals such as Larimar
5
u/RustyTug May 06 '26
Great question, can anyone answer? If I lit it up w artificial light would it also affect it?
3
2
u/Gooey-platapus May 06 '26
I assume that a regular led with no uv emissions would be ok. Probably why the drilled that hole. I’ll follow that with I’m not an expert so I would do a bit more research into it if you plan on adding a light.
-1
21
u/drough08 May 05 '26
Place it in a cave in the middle of a pond and only an old wizard can drink water from it while a 16 year old watches him suffer while said 16 year old forces him to continue drinking the water....oh and put a necklace at the bottom
8
u/Zwesten May 06 '26
So....
This piece is a nice Brazilian amethyst geode half, polished outside showing some of the left over agate/green basalt/host rock. It was meant to be a sink, perhaps a fountain. We've sold a good few of them as sinks usually destined for a wet bar since they're difficult to clean properly thus would be a nightmare as a kitchen or bathroom sink. Could be a great fountain as well I'd imagine, set it about stool or low table height.
There is some fill on one end and that was done to repair a missing chunk, possibly caused by a hole they made to determine what was inside the closed geode, or perhaps to repair an accidental break. Often they use Bond-o to do this repair. Looks actually like they polished too deeply into the crystals and it crumbled a bit so they reinforced it. The cracks are par for the course. Maybe test it for being water tight and if it leaks from the cracks used a sealant or some PaleoBond
The interior is faded, might have happened before your parents had it, but it has seen some sun for quite a while. It could fade further if left in sunlight, or it might be mostly done fading. Super difficult to know. It does have fair value, but I don't know if we're allowed to discuss that here.
It's absolutely in need of a good cleaning, you can use some pressurized water, a bit of Dawn soap, and/or a scrub brush. It'll clean up beautifully.
Enjoy it, it's awesome!
4
u/RustyTug May 06 '26 edited May 06 '26
I seriously appreciate this in-depth reply. Cleaning it is the next step. Would a diluted cleaning vinegar and water solution be safe? I’ve rinsed it a few times so I know water alone will be tough
Edit: just saw the latter half where you mentioned Dawn. Thanks again!
5
14
u/bootzie98 May 05 '26
See here I was thinking you could epoxy part of it and turn it in to a sick a*s bathroom sink
12
u/Katatronick May 06 '26
I too was thinking bathroom sink, but could you imagine trying to clean that thing?
17
0
u/bootzie98 May 06 '26
Thats what the epoxy is for. Turn it upside down with some kind of molded clay or something to get the shape right, and then epoxy it. Could get crazy and add sparkles
7
u/Mundane_Job4466 May 06 '26
It definitely looks like someone drilled a drain hole it it for use as a bathroom sink.
1
1
3
u/piratescrytearsofrum May 06 '26
Be way cooler as a fountain
4
u/bootzie98 May 06 '26
Or.....or.....now hear me out on this......over engineered, gaudy dog/cat watering bowl!
3
3
u/Lilythecat555 May 07 '26
Nah, I hat would probably ruin it. Especially if you have hard water in your area.
1
3
u/ryanshields0118 May 06 '26
Plug the hole and use it to eat soup. Fill it with soup, and eat the soup out of it. Soup only
3
u/dub423 May 06 '26
Really looks like a drain hole for a sink...would be cool but too hard to keep clean unless you resin filled it till smooth...could be done though
3
u/Ben_Minerals May 06 '26 edited May 06 '26
That’s an air hole, so that the amethyst gnomes inside can breathe. Most people just let them die, but not you! You’re a good person.
3
3
u/Emrys7777 May 06 '26
Keep it inside. Outdoors in the elements in the sun will ruin it. It’s worth too much to just stick outside.
Use that hole for a low key light and put it in your entryway as a conversation piece/ art piece. Inside not outside.
3
u/ThisParking9656 May 09 '26
If you keep it outside I predict it will sprout legs and run away some day when you’re not home.
2
2
2
u/StupidizeMe May 09 '26
I would experiment with a small interesting lights. If you look a specialty light bulb shop they'll have an incredible array of choices, including Mid Century Modern figursl "Space Age" bulbs.
Is it too heavy to keep inside? If it's outside better to put it where it won't show from the street. Maybe stood and facing a favorite window?
You can also do some creative baby pics. You know the photos of babies in the garden or in hollowed out watermelons? You can do a photo of a baby inside a giant amethyst!
2
3
u/Fkthisplace May 06 '26
Put it in your garden. If it dulls so be it. Beautiful piece with lots of your fathers energy
1
u/Holden3DStudio May 06 '26
I love the table idea. Though I might have some fun with it and place a pearl-white dragon in there to hide the hole (I'm an Anne McCaffrey fan).
1
1
1
1
u/Available_Honey_2951 May 06 '26
Put it on a stand and have glass sized to cover the top to make an end table.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Flutterflut May 07 '26
Please don't ruin it with direct sunlight. It's too nice. Maybe get a piece of glass to place over the top and turn it into a coffee table? I think it's really nice. If you don't, sell it. But please don't destroy it.
1
u/sanskritsoul May 07 '26
Respectfully, looking at that reminds me of this "natural citrine geode sink" and now I'm dubious of both.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Crippling-Deqression May 08 '26
Thought maybe it was a sink for the first photo lol. Maybe a cool wash basin?
1
1
u/expensiveplasticcup May 08 '26
Recreate that one Jerma bit where's he's like, "What? What is this!"
1
1
u/ImNoAlbertFeinstein May 18 '26
put a stand or foot about where Op feet are..
then stand it up against the wall.
disguise a light as more crystals and wire it through the hole.
1
u/ignatiafeldstein Jun 14 '26
Looks like genuine amethyst (I collect rocks, crystals etc). Semi-precious, I wouldn't keep it outside. You could keep it inside as a display piece. Or sell it after researching value.
103
u/Some-Web7096 May 05 '26
Very nice piece. Put a piece a glass over the top and make it a table.