Amethyst Geode Bookends.

Afternoon sun on a windowsill, a row of well-loved books, and at either end a split stone glowing violet from within. These bookends are made to do real work, and to be looked at while they do it.

They began as a hollow gas bubble in ancient volcanic rock, filled slowly from the outside in by silica-rich groundwater over some tens of millions of years. The geode, from the amethyst-rich basalt of southern Brazil, was split once through the middle and each half ground flat and felted so the pair stands upright. Inside is a dense field of amethyst points, pale lilac at the rind and deepening to rich violet at the center; outside, the stone is left rough, the color of old rain. Because both halves come from the same host stone, their color and crystal size read as a true pair.

The Greeks named the stone amethystos, not intoxicated, and carved it into wine cups and rings in the belief that it kept the drinker clear-headed. Bishops later wore it in their rings for its deep, contemplative violet.

Details

• Natural amethyst geode, split into two matched halves
• Origin: southern Brazil
• Ground flat and felted at the base
• Heavy enough to hold a full shelf of books

How to use

Stand them at either end of a row of books, or on a windowsill where the afternoon light can pass through the violet. Two halves of one ancient stone, ready to keep your favorite books upright.