Canada/Ontario: Amethyst Mine Panorama

Ever wanted to mind your own amethyst? Amethyst Mine Panorama is one of the largest amethyst mines in North America. The mine was discovered in the 1940s and has been operated for commercial and tourist purposes since the 1980s. The amethyst found here formed about 1 billion years ago in a volcanic activity process, which created the unique geological formations in the area, basically air pockets (known as geodes or vugs) in basaltic rock that gave birth to amethyst crystals. Amethyst is a variety of quartz, which is a common and widely distributed mineral. Its distinctive purple color ranges from light lavender to deep violet, depending on the presence and concentration of iron and other trace elements. Once you get through the tour and see the large pit, you get to grab a bucket and a metal hook and mine your own amethyst.