gemstone
Amethyst
Quartz (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 within volcanic rocks as silica-rich solutions cool and crystallize.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and as a popular collectible mineral specimen.
Geological facts
The purple color is caused by irradiation and trace amounts of iron substituting for silicon within the quartz lattice.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct purple hue and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia.
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