mineral
Amethyst
Silicon Dioxide (Quartz variety), 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 with no true cleavage.
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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 with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize.
Uses & applications
Widely used in gemstone jewelry, ornamental carvings, and holistic crystal collections.
Geological facts
Its purple color is caused by iron impurities combined with natural irradiation during formation.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct purple hue and quartz hardness; found globally with major deposits in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
