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Regional Profile: Northern Precious Purple Gemstones bout thirty-five miles east ofthe City of Thunder Bay. north of Highway ll-l7 on East Loon Road. is the Amethyst Mine Panorama. The mine. which occupies 2.200 acres on the east shore of Lake Elbow. was discovered forty years ago when a forest fire lookout tower was being built. The Mine is owned by Steve and Laura Lukinuk and is the largest commercial amethyst operation in North America. Amethyst production starred in 1960: the Mine has produced continu- ously with a ninety-year reserve supply. Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone. It is a crystalline variety of quartz â€" a transpar- ent. glassy mineral formed when silica solutions crystallized in the veins and cavi- ties of rocks. This action took place over millions of years. Most of us. however. rec- ognize the gemstone because ot'its deep. rich tones of dark-bluish purple Tourists tothe ThunderBay areaofOntario will find rings. earrings. necklaces. pendants and bracelets that contain the colourful geme stone. It is also used for ashtrays, pen sets, Clocks and bookcnds. Sections of granite faced with amethyst are used in the building industry. Fireplaces. cathedrals. theatres. landmarks. patios tabletops, and monuments are enhanced by its rich colour. And large quantities are shipped around the world from Ontario. The Amethyst Mine Panorama offers infor- mative tours: visitors slan out climbing a ramp into the bed ot'a "million dollar truck." named not for its value. but because that's how many dollars worth of amethyst it has hauled out. The extensive niinc waste piles are open to the public. They contain twenty per cent i 9 Amethyst is the oilicial gemstone ol the Province i ot Ontario. ¢Amethyst is the birthstone tor the month ol February and those born under the sign at Pisces. <>The name “amethyst” Is derived train a Greek word meaning "not drunken." <> Amethyst was used in Egyptian amulets as early as 2000 B.C <> Bishops traditionally wear an amethyst ring. <> Some people believe that amethyst brings good luck to petitioners. (Wear one when you ask your boss tor a raise!) ¢Traditionalty. amethysts are supposed to guard England's rulers against contagious diseases. 3 Home 8. Country, Spring '95 Fltfit‘llltllll'ltl Facets of Amethyst l fit", in}: ' r 4-: Amethyst hunting is an ideal family outing that fascinates even ore-school youngsters. uscable material. and are the main source of pick-your-own amethyst. The Mine is open from May to mid-Octoberot't‘ering thousands of rockhounds a unique adventure. It you decide that amethyst hunting is for you. pack a picnic lunch. put on some casual clothing and footwear, and bring along some newspaper in which to wrap your precious purple gemstones. For more information about the Ame~ <> Amethysthas been used to symbolize deep love. . happiness. humility. sincerity and wealth. ‘ <>Long ago. tanners believed that wearing am. i lhysl would protect lheir crops lrorn hailstones and locusts <> The Hebrew word for amethyst lS “ahlamah.” which means “dream.” Thus. the stone was sup- posed to cause lovely dreams and vrsrons <> It you dream ol amethyst, you will be tree tram harm. In the Middle Ages. soldiers were amethyst to protectmem in battle. ‘ {P Leonardo da Vinci believed that amethysthadthe power to control evil thoughts. to quicken intelli- ‘ genes. and to make men shrewd in buslnrm matters. a: ' ‘_ Photo courtesy ol Precious Purple Gemstones, Lll.’ thyst Mine Panorama contact Steve and Laura Lukinuk at Precious Purple Gem- stones Ltd.. Box 832. Thunder Bay. Ontario. FTC 4X7. Phone: (807)622â€"6908. This information was exlracled from promotional material printed by Precious Purple Gemstones Ltd.. rm Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource: brochure, and an article from lire Lapidm‘y Journal, February, 1994. on her way to worship 5 p as no, When the tlgarssptang at her, she a protection. The goddassturned they so the tigers couldn't harm her; Dionysg ‘ all so my l°' his‘cruelly that he pouredout glittering of wine [0 the a rock crystal maiden who had Illde in ‘ a gavelhe crystal a'purplish‘hue. H '