gemstone
Amethyst
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, purple color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, purple color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed within gas cavities in volcanic rocks through the deposition of silica-rich hydrothermal solutions over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation and trace amounts of iron impurities within the quartz crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct purple hue and quartz hardness; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
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