mineral
Amethyst
Quartz (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 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 in hydrothermal veins and volcanic gas cavities where silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative ornaments, and crystal healing practices.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation and trace amounts of iron impurities substituting for silicon.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinct purple coloration and quartz hardness; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
