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 no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed within gas cavities in volcanic rocks through the deposition of silica-rich hydrothermal solutions over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in high-end and alternative jewelry, decorative items, and crystal collecting.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation and trace amounts of iron substituting for silicon within the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive purple color and hexagonal crystal terminations; commonly sourced from Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
