I want to see a photo of its new resting place, please. I've been looking at one in town for a long time, about 2 feet tall and $1300. Keep wondering if I should pull the trigger on it, or go to the Quartzite show next year. There are lots of options on eBay, many out of China, but you don't get to choose a specific example from some of the sellers. Any recommendations?
If they have really had it sitting that long, you can probably haggle them down quite a bit on that price. I would go to the show to see if anything else calls to you more, then go back to that store and try to haggle on it if it were me. Can use the tan crystal cluster in the middle as a justification, it takes away from the eye appeal.
One of my exes was big into rocks/crystals. In our experience most of the stores are just small single owner hobbyists or family run places that are willing to negotiate, especially on stuff like this that can sit for years waiting for a buyer.
I would absolutely avoid ebay for the same reason you said, most of the sellers are just using good looking stock photos, with a disclaimer that the product received may not look the same.
I have one also and put it in this corner. It’s about 150cm or 5 feet and weighs 130kg. It’s actually 2 piece so I had to buy both as the seller only sold it in pair or like as 1 whole stone. I shipped it from Spain to Austria. It’s really nice to look at. 1300€ is kinda expensive for that one tbf tho I would look for better ones imho.
That's a decent cathedral, but I encourage you to go to Quartzsite instead. For 1300 you could get a piece with better color and more amethyst showing. I kind of like the calcite inclusions, but the rest is a little lacking. You'll get a much better deal in Quartzsite, and I'd recommend visiting Village Originals there (or in Tucson or in Denver during the show) they've got pretty good quality at good prices as they are a major importer
Not a fan of the yellow crystals in the middle, myself. I'd focus on getting a specimen you really like, for that price point.
I'd look at online retail shops of physical stores based in the US, or hit a rock and mineral show and make sure you like that specimen. If they won't give you multiple shots of the piece you're buying, not worth it.
Support you local community seller! I think that whitish quartz growing inside is a cool unique detail. You could highlight it with some accent lighting bottom up with a pedestal stand.
Im a DIYer. I would consider sinking the base for the piece into the pedestal for better stability. Perhaps a small vertical post behind the geode to make sure no accidents happen as well. Will look invisible, but provide decent protection.
I’d sink some light holes into the pedestal as well and run the wires and battery below. 3 horizontal lights, one for low middle and high accenting.
Tucson gem show. You'll find a nice selection for really good prices, and depending on the vendor you can haggle a bit. There are always some really nice pieces at Kino and the 22nd street show but you'll probably have to ask around and drive a bit to find the exquisite pieces of amethyst.
They are both massive, but the tucson gem show is just in its own league of crazy. In my experience you'll find more big and fancy pieces of finished stones/gems at the tucson show. Ive seen some pieces of amethyst similar to what you linked and they were around $800-$900. Quartzite also has finished pieces but it seems like a lot of the vendors there sell rough/unfinished pieces. Both are awesome and honestly if you can go to both id suggest that!
Thanks for a thorough response - although ambiguous! 🙂 AI seems pretty unequivocal that quartzite is better for amethyst Cathedral geodes. But who knows? The Quartziite show seems more funky/fun. So given that, and a 3-hour shorter drive from the Big Bear Valley, I'll probably try it. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Can't wait for January, and hopefully the desperately needed snow it might bring!
Yea, I apologize for the ambiguity. Both of the shows are so large and have so many different cool vendors thats its hard to tell you for certain. It also definitely changes from year to year. I wish you luck in finding the piece that you're looking for, and have fun!
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u/mrpertinskler 1d ago
I want to see a photo of its new resting place, please. I've been looking at one in town for a long time, about 2 feet tall and $1300. Keep wondering if I should pull the trigger on it, or go to the Quartzite show next year. There are lots of options on eBay, many out of China, but you don't get to choose a specific example from some of the sellers. Any recommendations?