mineral
Amethyst
Crystalline Silicon Dioxide with Iron impurities (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale lilac to deep purple; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale lilac to deep purple
- Luster
- Vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale lilac to deep purple; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins or as linings inside volcanic geodes. The purple color comes from irradiation, iron impurities, and the presence of trace elements.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry making, ornamental carvings, and as a popular collector's specimen for spiritual or aesthetic purposes.
Geological facts
Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek word 'amethystos', meaning 'not intoxicated', as it was believed to protect the wearer from drunkenness.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinct purple color and inability to be scratched by a steel knife (hardness). Commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and South Korea. Look for hexagonal crystal terminations in raw specimens.
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Mineral
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