The amethyst commonly labled Las Vigas is actually from a small pueblito called Piedra Parada, which sits just North of Las Vigas in the state of Veracruz.
Ruben Avila and Gilberto Gurrola are sitting at the roadside food tables waiting on some lunch while en route from Mexico City to Las Vigas via Puebla, Mexico.


Soups, stuffed meats and coagulated venison blood is on the menu...yummy!


Talking to some locals to find out if any amethyst is for sale.
Off we go to Piedra Parada where the locals may have something to look at.




Well this is a good sign when the locals start setting up multiple tables to set amethyst on!


Okay, now we are moving along with lots of amethyst to look at in the little pueblito of Piedra Parada.






The locals were very accomodating and offered us coffee to relax and give me a break to get out of the sun, which tends to burn us without hair at high elevations. Piedra Parada sits at an elevation of 2,400 meters or roughly 7,500 feet.



The area that these particular amethyst came from, which is just to the right of the waterfall. The name of the claim is La Cascada.





Now we negotiate for a price!

I lost the hand and now we have to pay their price. I hate cards! Lucky for me the locals offered medical help for a gringo in shock.


The nearest town with a bank is called Jalapa and we pulled into there for a couple of days waiting for the wire transfer to arrive.


Everything paid for and pieces packed for shipment.



Unfortunately we were offered this lot just after we had paid and shipped the other lot, so logistics would not permit putting this together.


Below are some photographs of the most desired amethyst from Veracruz.