A bit of history to understand the remarkably unique underground conditions of this particular land. About 280 to 230 million years ago magma from below the earth’s crust began pushing upward separating what we now know as Africa and the Americas.

In the small territory of what became the Uruguayan land, magma flowed reaching a layer of arid, desert-type sand creating gas-filled bubbles in the underground. With all the right chemical conditions, slowly flowing lava started the process of quartz and crystal formation. A touch of water to cool the high temperatures was needed seeping through small fissures on the geode walls. Through much research, it's now known the Guarani aquifer supplied the necessary water containing high levels of iron resulting in the most stunning purple amethysts in the world. An impressive mix of different chemicals in this area, combined with certain impurities and other minerals in the sand, resulted in the formation of amethysts of other shades and colors. The locals call these extraordinary pieces "Rainbow Amethysts".

The Uruguayan land is also strikingly abundant with exceptional stalactites found in caves. All to do with the richness of the chemical composition in this area, they formed dozens of millions of years ago and they're gifted to us by our planet. Stalactites in this exclusive area of the world can be found as an embellishing garnish to amethysts on geodes or, just as impressive, extracted by themselves. As stand-alone pieces, they are delicately sliced to display their staggering internal beauty. Uruguay sources the most remarkable colors, shapes, and most impressive large sizes available in stalactites.