mineral
Amethyst
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich solutions cool over thousands to millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a gemstone in jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation and trace amounts of iron substituting for silicon within the quartz crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its distinctive purple coloration and quartz hardness; commonly sourced from Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
