mineral

Amethyst-bearing quartz

Quartz, SiO₂; purple color is commonly caused by trace iron and natural irradiation

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

A small, rough, pale-purple and white specimen with vitreous luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a trigonal crystal structure, no true cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The image does not show enough detail to confirm whether the gold-colored spot is part of the specimen.

Identified October 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Amethyst forms as quartz crystals in silica-rich fluids, often lining volcanic-rock cavities; deposits range from geologically recent to hundreds of millions of years old.

Uses & applications

Amethyst is used for jewelry, carvings, and mineral collecting; quartz is also widely used in glass and electronics.

Geological facts

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz, with color intensity depending partly on iron content and irradiation.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its purple quartz, glassy luster, and hardness—quartz can scratch glass and lacks cleavage. Common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and other volcanic or hydrothermal deposits.