mineral

Amethyst

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Purple, violet, or lavender; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Purple, violet, or lavender
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Purple, violet, or lavender; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and volcanic geodes when silica-rich water precipitates in cavities. The purple color is caused by trace amounts of iron irradiated by natural radiation.

Uses & applications

Widely used for jewelry, as status symbols, in crystal healing practices, and as decorative display specimens.

Geological facts

Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Its name comes from the Greek word 'amethystos', meaning 'not intoxicated', as it was once believed to protect the wearer from drunkenness.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its 6-sided prism shape (if terminated), purple hue, and inability to be scratched by steel. Commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and Arizona.