Four Peaks, near Phoenix, Arizona, is the source of Four Peaks Amethyst.

   Looking northeast from the Usery Mountains, near Apache Junction, the Goldfield Mountains rise above a small valley, with Four Peaks in the background. In this view, you can see several layers of volcanic rocks in the foreground. These colorful formations are thick beds of pyroclastic ash and debris, deposited by cataclysmic explosions of volcanic several miles to the southeast, during the period. Remnants of the calderas themselves are now masked by similar rock formations that make up the famous Superstition Mountains.
   Four Peaks rises to an elevation of 7657 feet (2334 meters), and can be seen from many places in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas. The peaks are made of , resting upon Precambrian , and are the source of Four Peaks Amethyst, a vivid purple natural precious stone. The mine is located between the third and fourth peaks, counting from the left.
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   See the GeoHistory page if you want to know more about why the landscape looks the way it does, or return to the map of "The Rocks of the Valley of the Sun" for more view locations.
   You can also send this as an E-Postcard to your friends!

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There are 3 views in this sequence -- this is scene #1.

While Four Peaks is not within the area of the map of "The Rocks of the Valley of the Sun", it is a notable landmark in the distance near Phoenix.

You can read the tale of how Four Peaks formed in my GeoStory™ (PDF version) called "Pendants Big and Small". There are more GeoStories available, too.

Above is a nice example of Four Peaks , cut into a trillion shaped gemstone. This gem is one of GemLand's specialties! See our Gemology section for more information, and how to purchase.