mineral
Amethyst
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed as hydrothermal solutions precipitate silica in gas cavities of volcanic rocks, typically over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and crystal collecting.
Geological facts
Its purple color is caused by iron irradiation and trace elements within the quartz lattice. Brazil and Uruguay are major global sources.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct purple quartz crystal clusters and lack of cleavage. Common in volcanic rock geodes worldwide.
