mineral
Amethyst
Quartz (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple color ranging from pale lilac to deep violet, vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, purple color ranging from pale lilac to deep violet, vitreous luster, and trigonal crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins or gas cavities within volcanic rocks as silica-rich solutions cool and crystallize over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in high-end jewelry, decorative sculptures, and metaphysical healing practices.
Geological facts
Its distinct purple hue is caused by natural irradiation of iron impurities substituting for silicon within the quartz lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its signature purple color, conchoidal fracture, and crystal form; commonly mined in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
