mineral

Amethyst (Chevron or Banded)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Purple to violet with white quartz banding; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Purple to violet with white quartz banding
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified March 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or volcanic geodes when silica-rich water cools. The purple color comes from iron impurities and natural irradiation, while the banding reflects varying growth rates and quartz deposition over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in lapidary arts for jewelry, beads, cabochons, and decorative carvings. Highly popular among mineral collectors and the metaphysical community.

Geological facts

Amethyst is the birthstone for February. The name comes from the Greek 'amethystos', meaning 'not drunken', as ancient civilizations believed it protected the wearer from intoxication.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinct V-shaped 'chevron' bands of white quartz and purple amethyst. Common in Brazil, Uruguay, and Africa. Look for high transparency in the purple sections and well-defined zig-zag patterns.

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