mineral

Amethyst cluster

Quartz, SiO₂; purple coloration from trace iron and natural irradiation

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Violet to lavender crystals with vitreous luster and hexagonal prisms; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The specimen appears to be a rough crystal cluster, possibly with a darker natural or attached matrix.

Identified October 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Amethyst forms as quartz crystals in gas cavities and fractures in volcanic rocks, growing from silica-rich fluids over long periods. Its age depends on the deposit and can range from millions to hundreds of millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used for jewelry, carvings, and mineral collecting; lower-grade clusters are commonly sold as decorative specimens.

Geological facts

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz, with color linked mainly to iron impurities and natural radiation.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its purple, glassy, hard crystals and pointed quartz terminations; major sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and Namibia. The image supports identification as amethyst, but not its precise locality or treatment history.