mineral
Amethyst
Silicon dioxide (Quartz variety, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich solutions cool and crystallize.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative ornaments, and crystal healing collections.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation and trace amounts of iron impurities substituting for silicon in the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct purple hue and quartz hardness; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
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