gemstone
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, no cleavage, and a specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, no cleavage, and a specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich solutions cool and crystallize over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative carvings, spiritual and metaphysical practices, and as a popular collector specimen.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation, iron impurities, and the presence of trace transition elements within the quartz lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct purple coloration and conchoidal fracture; commonly sourced from Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and the United States.
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