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Crown jewel

Wendy Rubicam
Wendy Rubicam

The Four Peaks mine in Arizona is one of the only two places in the world where the rare and beautiful Four Peaks Amethyst is found. The mine, located high in the rugged Tonto National Forest, is a remote and challenging place for the few miners who work there year-round. Much of the amethyst extracted from the mine by hand ends up at Sami Fine Jewelry in Fountain Hills, where owner Sami Jack works with the mine owner to create unique jewelry designs featuring the striking violet stones.

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By Wendy Rubicam The Crown of Arizona The dazzling Four Peaks Amethyst may be one of the Valleys best-kept secret treasures Four Peaks rises to the easta coveted and distinctive mountain The Four Peaks mine is one of the most remote commercial view from prime properties throughout Scottsdale and Fountain mines in the country, and the last active commercial amethyst Hills. Today, it seems slightly surreal to be in a helicopter, the mine in North America. The handful of dedicated miners who peaks looming large as we head straight towards them to see the work here have a challenging commutea nine-mile round-trip source of the Valleys hidden treasure, the Four Peaks Amethyst. hike, much of which is extremely steep and unimproved trail lit- This exceptional precious stone is found in only two places in the tered with obstacles like deadfall and boulders. The last 200-yard worldthe rugged mountains in the heart of the Tonto National stretch is almost straight up. Forest and the far reaches of Siberia. The stones rich, deep In the early days, miners were required to carry in supplies purple color is highlighted with flashes of red from the iron and and carry out up to 80 pounds of amethyst on their backs. Today, manganese found in the Arizona soil, giving it a unique vibrancy. supplies are brought in and stones brought out just twice a year The helicopter touches down on a narrow ledge at close to by costly helicopter transport, which is one of the mines major 7,000 feet, just below the craggy third and fourth peaks, and we expenses. The miners stay on the mountain for a week to 10 days run for cover behind a simple shack used to house supplies for the at a time, and work year-round, except when snow makes navigating miners. After a bag or two of precious stones are loaded onto the the trail too difficult. helicopter, it takes off and we begin our exploration of the mine that Putting ourselves in the miners shoes, we make a short hike produces some of the most distinctive amethysts in the world. along the edge of the steep drop-off to the mine opening, which 60 So Scottsdale! July 2011 SS_60_61Mine_Jul11.indd 60 6/21/11 2:34:02 PM
is a simple wood-framed opening in the side of the mountain. The Top 5 Coolest Jewelry Stores in America. ground here sparkles with bits of amethyst and quartz crystals The store is one of only 600 nationwide to carry the exception- everywhere you look. Mine owner Kurt Cavano tells us that for al Hearts on Fire diamonds, as well as specializing in Arizona gems, the last 12 years, this opening has been painstakingly dug out by including bright green Peridot and rich red Anthill Garnets. But hand and the miners have now pushed about 90 feet into the rock, according to Jacks daughter, store marketing manager Stephanie following a particular vein of amethyst crystals. Bjorkman, the Four Peaks Amethyst is the heart of the store. Cavano gives us an overview of how the amethyst formed from As soon as Sami saw it, she fell in love with it. I would say what were originally compressed layers of sand, shot through with the amethyst has become a lot of what it is today because of our super-heated water and the minerals that gave it its rich purple hue. advertising. The mine is actually a giant geode, he explains. When you From the purple d辿cor to the welcoming purple-clad sales walk into the mine you are associates, the amethysts inside a geode and youll appeal is infectious at Sami. see the roof all covered with It is hard to leave the store amethyst that formed tens We grab screwdrivers from a bucket without wanting a flash of of millions of years ago. deep violet in a unique and like excited kids on a treasure hunt, Outfitted with hard hats design on your finger, wrist and headlamps, we enter begin picking at the purple veins with or earlobes. the side of the mountain the guidance of one of the miners. Fortunately, there are and, as promised, are sur- Four Peaks Amethyst cre- rounded by dirt walls stud- ations at every price point ded everywhere with crystal from sterling silver pieces formations. We grab screwdrivers from a starting at around $25 to an 118-carat, bucket and like excited kids on a treasure museum-quality stone priced at $30,000. hunt, begin picking at the purple veins with Its worth the drive to Fountain Hills the guidance of one of the miners. Although just to see the selection of Arizona jewels, the mountain is rich with amethyst, the mine but Sami also offers a steady stream of ships out only about 1,200 pounds of hand- events for its customers. From Glamour Girl dug stone per year. parties with wine and cheese to hands-on After it is cleaned and tumbled in educational gatherings for those interested Scottsdale, only about 30 to 50 pounds in learning more about gemstones, there is contain promising amethyst, which is then always something happening at Sami. shipped to China to be cut into gemstones. Once your interest is piqued by the What comes back a month later gorgeous Four Peaks Amethyst, you can you can fit in two hands, Cavano says, also visit the store for Meet the Miners night, cupping his hands in front of him. a meet-and-greet session with those hardy And where does that handful of pre- souls who hand-plucked your stone out of cious stones end up? Much of it can be the mountain. For the more adventurous, found at Sami Fine Jewelry in Fountain Hills. Store owner, Sami Jack, twice a year Sami sponsors the helicopter trip to explore the mine. has retained right of first selection of the Four Peaks Amethyst, and Once you have made that trip and seen the treasure glowing Cavano says, There are lots of jewelry stores all over the world that deep within the mountain, I promise you will never look at Four use our stones, but Sami does some of the most original designs Peaks the same way again. and gets some of our biggest and best stones to do some really cool jewelry. So cool that the store was actually voted one of the Wendy Rubicam can be reached at www.rubicamwriting.com. July 2011 So Scottsdale! 61 SS_60_61Mine_Jul11.indd 61 6/21/11 2:34:04 PM

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Crown jewel

  • 1. By Wendy Rubicam The Crown of Arizona The dazzling Four Peaks Amethyst may be one of the Valleys best-kept secret treasures Four Peaks rises to the easta coveted and distinctive mountain The Four Peaks mine is one of the most remote commercial view from prime properties throughout Scottsdale and Fountain mines in the country, and the last active commercial amethyst Hills. Today, it seems slightly surreal to be in a helicopter, the mine in North America. The handful of dedicated miners who peaks looming large as we head straight towards them to see the work here have a challenging commutea nine-mile round-trip source of the Valleys hidden treasure, the Four Peaks Amethyst. hike, much of which is extremely steep and unimproved trail lit- This exceptional precious stone is found in only two places in the tered with obstacles like deadfall and boulders. The last 200-yard worldthe rugged mountains in the heart of the Tonto National stretch is almost straight up. Forest and the far reaches of Siberia. The stones rich, deep In the early days, miners were required to carry in supplies purple color is highlighted with flashes of red from the iron and and carry out up to 80 pounds of amethyst on their backs. Today, manganese found in the Arizona soil, giving it a unique vibrancy. supplies are brought in and stones brought out just twice a year The helicopter touches down on a narrow ledge at close to by costly helicopter transport, which is one of the mines major 7,000 feet, just below the craggy third and fourth peaks, and we expenses. The miners stay on the mountain for a week to 10 days run for cover behind a simple shack used to house supplies for the at a time, and work year-round, except when snow makes navigating miners. After a bag or two of precious stones are loaded onto the the trail too difficult. helicopter, it takes off and we begin our exploration of the mine that Putting ourselves in the miners shoes, we make a short hike produces some of the most distinctive amethysts in the world. along the edge of the steep drop-off to the mine opening, which 60 So Scottsdale! July 2011 SS_60_61Mine_Jul11.indd 60 6/21/11 2:34:02 PM
  • 2. is a simple wood-framed opening in the side of the mountain. The Top 5 Coolest Jewelry Stores in America. ground here sparkles with bits of amethyst and quartz crystals The store is one of only 600 nationwide to carry the exception- everywhere you look. Mine owner Kurt Cavano tells us that for al Hearts on Fire diamonds, as well as specializing in Arizona gems, the last 12 years, this opening has been painstakingly dug out by including bright green Peridot and rich red Anthill Garnets. But hand and the miners have now pushed about 90 feet into the rock, according to Jacks daughter, store marketing manager Stephanie following a particular vein of amethyst crystals. Bjorkman, the Four Peaks Amethyst is the heart of the store. Cavano gives us an overview of how the amethyst formed from As soon as Sami saw it, she fell in love with it. I would say what were originally compressed layers of sand, shot through with the amethyst has become a lot of what it is today because of our super-heated water and the minerals that gave it its rich purple hue. advertising. The mine is actually a giant geode, he explains. When you From the purple d辿cor to the welcoming purple-clad sales walk into the mine you are associates, the amethysts inside a geode and youll appeal is infectious at Sami. see the roof all covered with It is hard to leave the store amethyst that formed tens We grab screwdrivers from a bucket without wanting a flash of of millions of years ago. deep violet in a unique and like excited kids on a treasure hunt, Outfitted with hard hats design on your finger, wrist and headlamps, we enter begin picking at the purple veins with or earlobes. the side of the mountain the guidance of one of the miners. Fortunately, there are and, as promised, are sur- Four Peaks Amethyst cre- rounded by dirt walls stud- ations at every price point ded everywhere with crystal from sterling silver pieces formations. We grab screwdrivers from a starting at around $25 to an 118-carat, bucket and like excited kids on a treasure museum-quality stone priced at $30,000. hunt, begin picking at the purple veins with Its worth the drive to Fountain Hills the guidance of one of the miners. Although just to see the selection of Arizona jewels, the mountain is rich with amethyst, the mine but Sami also offers a steady stream of ships out only about 1,200 pounds of hand- events for its customers. From Glamour Girl dug stone per year. parties with wine and cheese to hands-on After it is cleaned and tumbled in educational gatherings for those interested Scottsdale, only about 30 to 50 pounds in learning more about gemstones, there is contain promising amethyst, which is then always something happening at Sami. shipped to China to be cut into gemstones. Once your interest is piqued by the What comes back a month later gorgeous Four Peaks Amethyst, you can you can fit in two hands, Cavano says, also visit the store for Meet the Miners night, cupping his hands in front of him. a meet-and-greet session with those hardy And where does that handful of pre- souls who hand-plucked your stone out of cious stones end up? Much of it can be the mountain. For the more adventurous, found at Sami Fine Jewelry in Fountain Hills. Store owner, Sami Jack, twice a year Sami sponsors the helicopter trip to explore the mine. has retained right of first selection of the Four Peaks Amethyst, and Once you have made that trip and seen the treasure glowing Cavano says, There are lots of jewelry stores all over the world that deep within the mountain, I promise you will never look at Four use our stones, but Sami does some of the most original designs Peaks the same way again. and gets some of our biggest and best stones to do some really cool jewelry. So cool that the store was actually voted one of the Wendy Rubicam can be reached at www.rubicamwriting.com. July 2011 So Scottsdale! 61 SS_60_61Mine_Jul11.indd 61 6/21/11 2:34:04 PM