mineral
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.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Amethyst in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
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 in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in fine jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector mineral specimen.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by natural irradiation and trace amounts of iron impurities within the quartz crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct purple color and crystal cluster habit; commonly sourced from 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