gemstone
Amethyst Beads
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2 with iron impurities)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and cavities (vugs) within igneous and metamorphic rocks, often inside volcanic basalt geodes, through the irradiation of iron impurities within quartz matrices over millions of years
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry making, beadwork, ornamental carvings, and spiritual or holistic practices
Geological facts
The purple color in amethyst is caused by trace amounts of iron interacting with natural irradiation during the quartz crystal's formation
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive purple coloration and high hardness capable of scratching glass; commonly sourced from Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and the United States
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