mineral
Amethyst
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous (glass-like) luster, hexagonal crystal system, pale to deep purple/lavender color, shell-like (conchoidal) fracture, specific gravity 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous (glass-like) luster, hexagonal crystal system, pale to deep purple/lavender color, shell-like (conchoidal) fracture, specific gravity 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities (geodes) within volcanic rocks when silica-rich fluid crystallization incorporates trace amounts of iron, which undergo natural irradiation.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative carvings, tumbling stones, and as popular geological display specimens.
Geological facts
The name originates from the ancient Greek word 'amethystos', meaning 'not intoxicated', as ancient Greeks believed it protected the owner from drunkenness.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its characteristic purple color, hardness of 7 (scratches glass), and glassy luster. Commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, and Zambia.
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