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
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 gemstone jewelry, decorative carvings, and spiritual crystal collections.
Geological facts
Its purple color is caused by irradiation and trace amounts of iron impurities substituting for silicon in the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive purple color and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
