gemstone
Amethyst
Quartz (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 within gas cavities in volcanic rocks via hydrothermal fluids cooling over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and holistic crystal collections.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation and trace iron impurities substituting for silicon in the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct purple hue and conchoidal fracture, found globally with major deposits in Brazil and Uruguay.
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