mineral
Amethyst
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Formed in gas cavities in volcanic rocks through hydrothermal processes involving iron impurities and natural irradiation.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative items, and as a popular collectible mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Amethyst was historically prized as a precious gemstone equal in value to diamond and ruby until large deposits were found in Brazil.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive purple color and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
