mineral

Amethyst

SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide with Fe3+ impurities)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Purple, violet; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Purple, violet
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified June 20, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Purple, violet; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or as linings in geodes within igneous or metamorphic rocks. Often aged from 100 million to 1 billion years old depending on the location.

Uses & applications

Dominant use in jewelry (gemstones), metaphysical collecting, and decorative ornamental objects.

Geological facts

Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Its name comes from the Greek word 'amethystos', meaning 'not intoxicated', as ancients believed it prevented drunkenness.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic purple color and hexagonal crystal termination. Commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia. In the field, look for volcanic geodes or vugs.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral