mineral
Likely amethyst (purple quartz) fragment
Quartz, SiO₂; purple variety colored by trace iron and irradiation
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTranslucent purple, glassy luster, irregular fracture; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage. The small, partly obscured fragment limits confident identification.
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Physical properties
Translucent purple, glassy luster, irregular fracture; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage. The small, partly obscured fragment limits confident identification.
Formation & geological history
Amethyst commonly crystallizes in silica-rich hydrothermal fluids within volcanic-rock cavities; deposits range from ancient to geologically recent.
Uses & applications
Used for jewelry, carvings, and mineral collecting; this fragment appears too small and irregular for most jewelry settings.
Geological facts
Amethyst’s purple color is associated with iron impurities and natural radiation exposure.
Field identification & locations
Look for purple color, glassy appearance, and hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass; common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, and Zambia. The image does not show diagnostic crystal faces, so color alone is not definitive.
