mineral
Amethyst
Quartz (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 with no true cleavage.
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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 with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and cavities of volcanic rocks through the deposition of silica-rich solutions containing traces of iron.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Its purple color results from natural irradiation and trace amounts of iron substituting for silicon within the quartz lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive purple color and hardness that scratches glass; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
