‘Its massive’: Woman discovers stunning rare earth in Aussie outback
A woman’s “stunning” discovery at a remote West Australian mine has sent the internet ablaze.
Mining
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Australians have been left stunned after a woman unearthed a “massive” 4kg semiprecious stone at a mine site in Western Australia.
Prospector Kristy McMullen and partner Patrick were rummaging through the red dirt last month when they discovered the amethyst, a type of crystalline quartz.
In a video posted to social media, Ms McMullen said the couple were “working a pocket zone” when they unearthed the brightly coloured, six-sided crystal.
“(Pat) and I were working an amethyst zone together today when this big beauty decided to reveal itself,” Ms McMullen said.
“It is by far the largest single point we have unearthed at the amethyst mine while we have been here.”
Audibly excited, the couple exclaimed that the stone was “massive” and screamed in excitement as they removed it from the red Australian soil.
Ms McMullen later told Yahoo Australia the stone was valued at $3500 and due to its size was quite rare, especially in Australia.
Users online quickly flocked to the ornate stone, with many calling it “so perfect” and “like it was cut in this beautiful shape”.
“That is stunning. Still blows my mind they’re hiding underground out there just waiting to be found,” one person said.
Another added: “I’m moving. ‘Finding my own crystal’ (is) in 1st position in my bucket list.”
While quartz is found all over Australia, including as a crystal, amethyst and citrine – a yellowish crystal – are less common.
Ms McMullen spent at least three weeks at the mine, sharing photos on social media of her myriad amethyst finds, big and small.
In a post last week, she said that despite the find, the dig had been “quieter than most in the sense we are all out here to enjoy the beautiful experience”.
According to her profile, Ms McMullen is an “outback crystal hunter” and prospector. Her page features gemstone jewellery for sale.
Originally published as ‘Its massive’: Woman discovers stunning rare earth in Aussie outback
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