mineral
Amethyst
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, hexagonal crystal system, and no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins and gas cavities of volcanic rocks through the irradiation of iron impurities within quartz.
Uses & applications
Widely used in gemstone jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
Amethyst was once as valuable as ruby and emerald until extensive deposits were discovered in Brazil.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive purple color and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
