Auralite 23: Canadian amethyst with inclusions, what to know

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Auralite 23 is a trade name for a Canadian amethyst rich in inclusions of many minerals. Here is what is established and what belongs to marketing.

Key points

Nature	trade name: amethyst (violet quartz) with numerous mineral inclusions
Mineral family	quartz, SiO2, with inclusions of iron and copper minerals and other elements
Hardness (Mohs)	about 7 for quartz, based on the nature of the stone (value not stated by sellers)
Origin	area north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, according to sellers
Number of minerals	"23" according to the name; sellers' lists vary from 17 to more than 30
Claimed age	between 1.2 and more than 1.5 billion years according to sellers (not independently verified)
Appearance	violet, reddish brown, gold, black; chevrons, spots and red areas
Traditional correspondences	crown chakra and third eye, according to authors

What is auralite 23?

"Auralite 23" is a trade name, not a mineral name recognised by the scientific community. It refers to an amethyst (a violet quartz, see amethyst) mined in a wooded area north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, which contains numerous inclusions of other minerals. The number 23 is said to refer to the number of minerals present; in practice, the lists published by sellers vary from 17 to more than 30 elements.

The most frequently cited minerals are iron, copper and titanium oxides and sulfides, phosphates and a few native metals. Goethite, lepidocrocite, hematite, bornite, chalcopyrite, cacoxenite, pyrite, magnetite, rutile, covellite and ajoite often come back in the lists; depending on the listing, native gold, silver, nickel and copper are also mentioned. These lists come from sellers: we have not found an independent study that confirms a precise, uniform composition.

Visually, the stone shows violet zones, chevrons (V-shaped patterns, as in "boreal" amethyst), reddish brown to orange spots, and gold or black specks.

What is established and what is marketing

Claim	Status
It is amethyst rich in inclusions	Consistent with what the pieces show
It comes from north of Thunder Bay (Ontario)	Given by sellers, not independently verified
It contains exactly 23 minerals	Variable: lists range from 17 to more than 30
It is 1.2 to 1.5 billion years old	Figure from sellers, not verified; the Cambrian (about 500 million years) is sometimes suggested, without a source
It is "the most" (rare, ancient, powerful)	Marketing argument

We prefer to say this clearly: you are buying a beautiful amethyst with inclusions, not an official mineral.

Traditional symbolism

Like any recent name, auralite 23 has no ancient tradition. Crystal books associate it with serenity, contemplation and a sense of a whole that brings several energies together: the idea is that a stone containing many minerals "sums up" many symbols.

These are recent interpretations. They rest on amethyst, whose symbolism is ancient (the Greek word amethystos means "not intoxicating"), plus the symbols of the minerals listed. No study shows that this stone has any effect on health or sleep.

Traditional correspondences

Area	Correspondence cited
Chakra	crown and third eye (as with amethyst)
Element	air or earth
Signs	Pisces, Aquarius, Sagittarius (as with amethyst, according to authors)
Keywords	contemplation, serenity, complexity

For the "parent" stone of this variety, see the amethyst page; for another stone mixed into these impressive lists, see Super Seven.

How to use it

As a point or slice: on a desk or shelf, for the beauty of its inclusions.
As a tumbled stone: to hold in your hand during a moment of calm.
As jewellery: pendant, cabochon or beads. The hardness of quartz allows this; however, some inclusions can weaken the stone (jewellery guide).
For observation: a pocket loupe lets you spot the inclusions. Noting what you see is a good exercise in attention.

Care and cleansing

Cleaning: lukewarm water, mild soap, soft brush, then drying. Quartz is stable; however, iron or copper inclusions can oxidise. Dry thoroughly.
Sunlight: amethyst can lose some of its colour under prolonged exposure; avoid leaving it in full sun.
Salt: avoid it on pieces with metallic inclusions, which can corrode.
Smoke, sound: no risk (guide).
Dust and elixirs: some inclusions contain copper or nickel; never put the stone in your mouth, do not make an elixir, and wear a mask if you cut it.

Recognising a genuine piece and avoiding surprises

Treated or recolored amethyst: a very bright, uniform violet colour with no inclusions is not auralite 23.
Glass or resin: they do not show natural chevrons or raised inclusions.
Origin: ask where it was mined and for the lot number, if there is one. The brand and the rights to use the name belong to commercial players: not every reseller provides a certificate.
Claims: be wary of listings that promise health or success benefits.

How to choose

The more clearly visible zones (red, gold, chevrons) a stone has, the more it is valued. Pieces certified with lot and origin, and well-cut pieces, are noticeably more expensive than ordinary amethyst. If the price seems very high, compare it with a well-made amethyst: part of the difference lies in the name.