mineral

Prasiolite (Green Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale leek-green to olive green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale leek-green to olive green
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale leek-green to olive green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the heat treatment (natural or artificial) of amethyst or citrine in volcanic rocks or pegmatites. Natural prasiolite is extremely rare, found in specific metamorphic and igneous environments.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry (rings, pendants, earrings), as a collector's mineral, and occasionally in metaphysical practices.

Geological facts

Most prasiolite on the market is produced by heating amethyst to 500 degrees Celsius. It is often incorrectly called 'green amethyst', though amethyst by definition is purple quartz. Natural prasiolite was first discovered in Brazil in the 1950s.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic pale green transparency and lack of inclusions in high-quality stones. Found mostly in Brazil, Poland (Lower Silesia), and Arizona (USA). In the field, look for hexagonal crystal points within quartz veins or geodes.

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