AP02 Stilbite on Amethyst

Near Nasik, Maharashtra State, India
9.7x 5.7x 4.3 cm

$265

This specimen consists of two very common minerals, in a rather uncommon (and beautiful) association. 

At first glance this looks like any of the abundant geodes from Brazil-- but the stilbite would not be right.

I have seen Indian amethyst geodes containing  elongated, honey-colored calcite crystals, and others (usually damaged) with fluorite balls.  This is the first time I can recall seeing this combination-- I checked Mindat after purchasing it, and there are only a few photographs of this association, though this one is much more aesthetic.

That's not to say there aren't any more-- given the tonnage of Indian specimens produced annually I'm sure there have been more, but I haven't seen them,  and this one caught my attention.