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Trapiche amethyst specimen

Trapiche Amethyst — The 6-Ray Star Pattern

Rare trapiche-like amethyst from our own deposit in Brazil — mined, cut, polished, and shipped directly from our factory. No middlemen.

Trapiche mine, Amazônia
Our mine, Amazônia, Brazil
Trapiche

Our Biggest Discovery

In 2016, we started our mine project in Rondônia, Brazil. We were looking for high-quality amethyst. Brazil is known for abundant amethyst, but we wanted something more reliable: a direct chain from mine to buyer.

What came out of the ground was not standard amethyst. Some specimens showed a six-ray star pattern we did not recognize at first. After careful research, everything pointed to a trapiche-like radial formation — a pattern famously associated with Colombian emeralds, but rarely documented in amethyst. That discovery became what we now call Trapiche Amethyst.

A decade later, we still sort every Trapiche specimen ourselves. Each piece carries a clear chain of custody — from the rock wall it came from, through our factory, to the shelf it reaches. This is not just a story we tell. It is the reason we own the mine.

Scientific Reference

Featured in Journal of Gemmology

Trapiche-like Amethyst and Quartz Materials from Rondônia, Brazil

Mineração Costa Marques — the family operation behind Amezoni Crystals — is the subject of a Gem Notes article in Journal of Gemmology, the peer-reviewed publication of Gem-A (Gemmological Association of Great Britain).

The article documents the trapiche-like pattern in amethyst from the Amethyst Costa Marques mine in Rondônia, north-western Brazil — including colour zoning, hydrothermal quartz mineralisation, and the production potential of the deposit. It also references our debut at the Denver Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show in September 2021.

The diversity of quartz materials being produced by Mineração Costa Marques is notable, and… the deposit shows excellent potential for long-term production.

— Brendan M. Laurs, Journal of Gemmology, 37(8), 2021

Reference

Laurs, B.M. "Amethyst with Trapiche-like Patterns and Other Quartz Materials from Rondônia, Brazil." Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 37, No. 8 (2021), pp. 763–765. Published by Gem-A. © 2021 Gem-A.

Gem-A and Journal of Gemmology are referenced for bibliographic purposes only. This page does not imply endorsement, certification, sponsorship, or commercial partnership.

Institutional Recognition

Where to see Trapiche

Mines Museum of Earth ScienceColorado School of Mines · Golden, Colorado