mineral
Amethyst
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, 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 by hydrothermal solutions cooling in gas cavities (vesicles) within volcanic rocks, often within basaltic lavas over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in high-end and commercial jewelry, as well as valued as decorative mineral specimens for display.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by natural irradiation and trace amounts of iron substituting for silicon within the quartz lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct purple crystal clusters and hardness; major deposits are found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
