Minerals:  Amethyst, Hematite
Locality: Auralite 23 Mine, Thunder bay District, Ontario, Canada Department, Canada
Dimensions: 195mm x 60mm x 48mm (approx)
Weight: 666.6g
Provenance: ex. Mala Haslem Collection

Here is an extraordinary large amethyst crystal from Howard Pilsmaker’s Auralite 23 Mine near Thunder Bay, from the original red capped material associated with the celebrated “Cave of Wonders” production. This material came to international attention during the late 2000s and early 2010s, with original Cave of Wonders specimens generally attributed to mining between roughly 2007 and 2011.

At 195mm long this is one of the longest examples we have encountered from the mine, while still maintaining a proportion and weight that makes it comfortable to handle. The upper section is dominated by a matte hematite cap, with layered growth across the termination and a strong transition into violet and colourless quartz beneath.

The crystal displays repeated chevron phantom bands through the body, with alternating zones of lilac, pale quartz and deeper violet. These layers record successive stages of crystal growth, showcasing a clear record of changing conditions during formation. The Auralite 23 material is generally dated to around 1.2 to 1.5 billion years old, placing its formation deep within the geological history of the Canadian Shield.

The Cave of Wonders material became particularly famous for this combination of repeated phantom growth, complex mineral inclusions and hematite rich red caps. The name Auralite 23 itself refers to a group of minerals identified across material from the deposit, although individual crystals do not necessarily contain all 23.

The surface remains naturally textural, allowing the growth bands and changes in colour to remain clearly visible. At the opposite end, the base carries a fine golden drusy coating, adding another distinct surface feature to an already unusually complex crystal.

This is a particularly substantial and aesthetic example of the original red capped material, with the scale, layered phantom growth, broad hematite termination and contrasting drusy base all strongly developed in a single specimen.