mineral
Amethyst
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Purple/Violet; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Purple/Violet
- Luster
- Vitreous/Glassy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Purple/Violet; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in geodes or veins within igneous rocks through hydrothermal processes where silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize at low temperature.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry (rings, necklaces), as a gemstone, decorative ornaments, and highly valued by metaphysical collectors.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by trace amounts of iron being irradiated within the quartz crystal lattice. It was historically considered as precious as diamond until large deposits were found in Brazil.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its distinct purple color and crystal habit. Common locations include Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and South Korea.
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Mineral/Rock
Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)
Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)
Metamorphic Rock
![Biotite Schist (Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]) — metamorphic](https://media.rock.id/9ca564b5-bc87-402b-965a-69b21f9aa6bf-thumbnail.jpg)
Biotite Schist
Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]
metamorphic
![Green Apatite on Albite (Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]) — mineral](https://media.rockidentification.com/2391a63f-fb20-47d5-af9a-2035851eb32e-thumbnail.jpg)
Green Apatite on Albite
Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]
mineral