Collecting Druzy Quartz Amethyst in South Africa

This druzy amethyst quartz specimen is unusual because there are large crystals encrusted with thousands of smaller ones

These photos were taken in a town north of Johannesburg South Africa. It was quite interesting how they mined the unique minerals in their town. The druzy quartz is actually found underneath their homes. Doug has a family he usually visits. As you can see in the photos they dig and tunnel for the minerals literally under the home's foundation.

The people are very friendly and excited to see us come. Villagers from all around come with their flats filled with all their finds. It's funny because each person wants to sell us everything they have. Of course, we're only interested in the best. In the end we provide a lot of income to the community.

The minerals come out of the ground encrusted in soil. It takes a lot of water, which they do not have, to clean them well enough to tell whether they are good or bad. So, we buy only the specimens which are cleaned. I'm sure we turn down a lot of good ones not knowing what's under the dirt.

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Local villagers and Doug's Mineral Safari tour group.

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Tunneling under their homes for minerals.

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Ladies working hard digging in a deep pit for Druzy Quartz.

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Once the word got that we were there, folks came from all around with all they had.

Here I am examining the tips of the druzy amethyst crystals to make sure there are no chips or breaks.

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Doug's partner Colin knew that they had better samples somewhere. He finally talked her in to seeing the best she had hidden under the bed.

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Absolutely beautiful children. They got every cookie and piece of candy we had.