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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.

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

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

Food being prepared by the locals at an open air cafe.
Talking to some locals to find out if any amethyst is for sale

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.

Grassy fields, trees and mountains surrounding Piedra Parada
Local children playing in a water trough
A house, decorated on the front with flowers in planters, at Piedra Parada
Locals start setting up multiple tables to set amethyst on

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

Local children in the doorway of the earlier pictured 'flower planter' house
Amethyst specimens out on tables for inspection and purchase

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

Purple amethyst crystals on matrix
Purple amethyst crystals on matrix
Ruben Avila and Gilberto Gurrola inspecting amethyst specimens
Amethyst specimens all over the tables to look at
Ruben Avila taking a good look at some amethyst specimens
Mark Kielbaso having a coffee and a break from the intense sun in 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.

Gilberto Gurrola inspecting amethyst specimens
Large pieces of matrix coated in purple amethyst crystals
La Cascada, the claim that Veracruz Amethyst comes from

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.

Amethyst specimens of varying sizes and shapes covering tables
Amethyst specimens of varying sizes and shapes covering tables
Amethyst specimens of varying sizes and shapes covering tables
Amethyst specimens of varying sizes and shapes covering tables
Playing cards to negotiate the price that will be paid for the selected lot

Now we negotiate for a price!

Mark Kielbaso gets 'medical help' for the shock resultant from losing the hand of cards

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.

Buildings and streets in Jalapa
Buildings and streets in Jalapa

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.

Clusters of vibrantly magenta colored flowers in Jalapa
Close up of clusters of vibrantly magenta colored flowers in Jalapa

Everything paid for and pieces packed for shipment.

Crates loaded with amethyst specimens being prepared for shipping
Crates loaded with amethyst specimens being prepared for shipping
Crates loaded with amethyst specimens being prepared for shipping

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

Deep purple amethyst crystals on matrix
Deep purple amethyst crystals on matrix

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

Highly lustrous deep purple amethyst crystals on matrix
Highly lustrous deep purple amethyst crystals on matrix
Highly lustrous deep purple amethyst crystals on matrix
Highly lustrous deep purple amethyst crystals on matrix
Highly lustrous deep purple amethyst crystals on matrix
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