mineral
Amethyst
Quartz (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 7, purple to violet color due to iron impurities, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Amethyst in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 7, purple to violet color due to iron impurities, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich solutions cool over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in fine jewelry, ornamental carvings, and crystal collecting.
Geological facts
Ancient Greeks believed amethyst prevented intoxication, deriving its name from the Greek word amethystos.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive purple color and crystal structure, commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous