Amethyst Mine in Luosto : It’s not just about the stone!
Hello all,
This was one of the most exciting activities we did in Lapland!
Do you love different semiprecious stones?
Which one is your favourite?
I love emeralds, and after that, the shiny purple amethyst…
So when I read about this mine, I immediately started looking for a guided tour.
Another reason we visited this mine was Shaurya. We don’t know about the future, but recently, when we talk about career choices, Shaurya says only two things: Glaciologist or Geologist. I feel a bit of excitement in it. Sheel thinks that I feel proud… but in reality, I am amazed! Because he is talking about career options that I don’t even know! These are careers for which my first reaction is to Google. At least he is aware. He is thinking out of the box. Time is changing, and so are the kids! Don’t know about the future. Whatever he might be, wherever he might be, I will remember this for my entire life: Yes, once upon a time, my kid had thought of being something different!
For the same reason, we were sure that we would visit this place. As fate would have it, he found one of the largest, most valuable, and best-quality amethysts in our entire group. The guide of the mine told him, “Kid you are the lucky one!”. He was immensely happy that day… he was bouncing up and down and wanted to show that stone to everyone…
About the mine:
It is Located in Pyhä Luosto, FINLAND. It is a working mine, and here you can dig your amethysts using traditional methods and small tools. Yeah, you can dig it, and if you find a stone that is smaller than your feast, then it’s yours!
The mine is millions of years old, and the amethyst in the mine May last another 600 years as they only use small tools, no giant equipment. It is the only working amethyst mine in Europe.
Reasons to visit the mine:
The landscape! :
It was like I got a soul of Janice in me, and I was shouting, “Oh My God!”. The Pyhä-Luosto National Park consists of a chain of fells and aapa mires. The chain of fells ‘Tunturi’ means a hill worn down by Ice Age glaciers with trees of varying heights. Aapa mires means a large wetland with open areas in its centre. It is the typical Finnish landscape that you see in the picture, with snow-covered forests and gorges. The landscape is majestic in winter, but according to locals, its beauty gets doubled in autumn.
Ride in a snow train:
You can hike uphill from the Lampivaara Cafe, do fat biking, or take a ride on a snow train, which is a thrill in itself. A snow train is a type of vehicle that can easily pass through the snow, so it is mainly helpful in wintertime when hiking is difficult. The snow machine pulls a heated wagon, ‘the Pendolino’, and will take you uphill.
The stone itself:
Once you arrive at the mine, you will be guided to a wooden cabin where they will brief you about the uses and myths of amethyst from different cultures, the geology of the region, the history of the mine, their procedure of procuring amethysts, and other fascinating facts. After that, the real thrill starts! Your guide will take you to another cabin, where after climbing down a flight of stairs, you will reach the mine. He will show you how to dig properly, how to differentiate between regular stones and amethyst and how to maximise your chance to bet one. Now, you can dig your amethyst. And if it fits in your fist, then it’s yours!!
There is a small shop where you can buy polished amethyst or artefacts or amethyst jewellery.
Distance from Rovaniemi:
Luosto Amethyst Mines is 120 km from Rovaniemi in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park and takes around 1.5 hours. You can take a guided tour or go in your vehicle and get a ticket from the cafe.
We had booked this activity via GetYourGuide. I am sharing the link. The service provider was Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park, which is located in the Santaclause Village itself, so it was easy for us as we were staying there only. They will also provide warm overalls if they feel that your clothing is not appropriate for the weather
.
https://www.getyourguide.com/rovaniemi-l2653/jewels-of-lapland-visit-to-amethyst-mine-in-luosto-t300120/
So, if you are planning to visit Finland, don’t forget this tour…