gemstone
Amethyst
Quartz (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich fluids cool over long periods.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
The purple color results from natural irradiation and trace amounts of iron substituting for silicon within the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its distinct purple color and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
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