gemstone
Pink Amethyst (or Pink Quartz)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with trace inclusions
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale pink to lilac; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.65. This specimen is faceted into a round brilliant cut.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale pink to lilac
- Luster
- Vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale pink to lilac; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.65. This specimen is faceted into a round brilliant cut.
Formation & geological history
Formed in volcanic geodes or hydrothermal veins as silica-rich fluids cool and crystallize. Pink amethyst is specifically associated with recent discoveries in Patagonia, Argentina, though pink quartz varieties occur globally.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry (rings, pendants) and for metaphysical/crystal healing collections. Faceted stones like this are decorative.
Geological facts
Unlike Rose Quartz, which gets its color from fibrous inclusions, Pink Amethyst gets its unique hue from hematite or iron inclusions within the crystal lattice. It was only recently classified by geologists to distinguish it from standard purple amethyst.
Field identification & locations
Field identification involves checking for hardness (scratches glass) and looking for typical amethystine crystal habits. In faceted jewelry, it is identified by its distinctive pale, cool-toned pink color compared to pink sapphire or tourmaline.
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