mineral

Amethyst (Chevron or Banded Amethyst)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Fe3+ impurities

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Violet to deep purple with white quartz bands. Luster: Vitreous/Glassy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Violet to deep purple with white quartz bands
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified April 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and cavities (geodes). The purple color results from irradiation of trivalent iron (Fe3+) in the quartz. High temperatures can cause the color to fade or turn yellow/brown.

Uses & applications

Predominantly used for jewelry, lapidary arts (tumbled stones, beads), decorative home decor, and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Amethyst is the birthstone for February. The name comes from the Greek 'amethystos', meaning 'not intoxicated', as ancient Greeks believed the mineral protected its owner from drunkenness.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic purple color and standard 7 hardness (it will scratch glass). Chevron varieties like this one show 'V' shaped or straight bands of white quartz mixed with purple.

Other mineral specimens

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral