mineral
Amethyst
Silicon dioxide (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 of volcanic rocks through the irradiation of iron impurities in quartz.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry as a gemstone, for decorative carvings, and in crystal collecting.
Geological facts
Its purple color is caused by trace amounts of iron and natural irradiation. It was historically considered a precious gemstone.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive purple color and quartz hardness, commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
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