gemstone
Amethyst (Faceted)
Silicon Dioxide with iron impurities (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Purple, violet, or lavender; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal); Specific gravity: 2.65; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 Mohs
- Color
- Purple, violet, or lavender
- Luster
- Vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Purple, violet, or lavender; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal); Specific gravity: 2.65; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous and hydrothermal environments, typically as crystals lining the inside of geodes or cavities within volcanic rocks. The purple color is caused by irradiation of trivalent iron impurities.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry (rings, pendants, earrings), decorative art, and as a popular collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Amethyst was considered a cardinal gem and once ranked alongside diamonds in value until large deposits were found in Brazil. The name comes from the Greek 'amethystos', meaning 'not intoxicated', as ancients believed it protected against drunkenness.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive purple color and hexagonal prism crystal habit in raw form. Often found in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and South Korea. Collectors should look for deep, uniform color (Siberian hue) and high clarity.
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