gemstone
Amethyst
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Purple to violet, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Specific gravity: 2.65
Identified More gemstone →
Explore Amethyst in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Purple to violet, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in geothermal environments, often as linings in basaltic geodes or in hydrothermal veins, usually from silica-rich groundwater over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Amethyst was once considered as valuable as diamonds until large deposits were discovered in Brazil. Its name comes from the Greek 'amethystos', meaning 'not intoxicated'.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic purple color and hexagonal crystal prism habit (when raw). Commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
More like this
Other gemstone specimens
Ammolite
Ammolite (Biogenic Aragonite with trace elements; fossils of Placenticeras meeki and Placenticeras intercalare)
mineral
Gemstone Ring
N/A - Set piece of jewelry, likely Amethyst or Garnet with Diamond or CZ
gemstone
Amber
Succinite (Organic Gemstone)
mineral
Diamond and Gold Jewelry
Carbon (Diamond) / Au (Gold)
gemstone
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions
sedimentary
Cubic Zirconia (simulant) or Diamond
ZrO2 (Cubic Zirconia) or C (Diamond)
gemstone