mineral
Amethyst
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple to violet color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms within gas cavities in igneous rocks or hydrothermal veins through silica-rich solutions precipitating over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in fine jewelry, ornamental carvings, crystal healing, and mineral specimen collecting.
Geological facts
The purple color results from natural irradiation and trace iron impurities substituting for silicon within the quartz crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive purple color and quartz hardness, commonly sourced from Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
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