gemstone
Amethyst
Silicon dioxide (Quartz variety, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed within hydrothermal veins and gas cavities of volcanic rocks through the cooling of silica-rich solutions.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative carvings, and collected as a popular crystal specimen.
Geological facts
Amethyst was historically valued as a precious gemstone equal to diamond, ruby, and emerald until large deposits were discovered in Brazil.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct purple hue and quartz hardness; found globally with major deposits in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
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