mineral

Likely amethyst (purple quartz) fragment

Quartz, SiO₂; purple variety colored by trace iron and irradiation

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent purple, glassy luster, irregular fracture; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage. The small, partly obscured fragment limits confident identification.

Identified September 24, 2026More mineral →

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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.