mineral

Polished amethyst heart

Amethyst, purple quartz (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; translucent purple with iron-related color zoning, vitreous luster, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the gray-brown area may be matrix or surface inclusions.

Identified September 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when iron-bearing quartz crystallizes in gas cavities of volcanic basalt, commonly during Jurassic–Cretaceous volcanic activity. Major sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and Bolivia.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative carving, lapidary material, jewelry stone, and collector specimen. Value depends on saturation, transparency, pattern, polish, and size.

Geological facts

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and can fade with prolonged intense sunlight or heating. The heart shape is human-cut and polished, not a natural crystal form.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its purple quartz appearance, glassy luster, hardness, and lack of cleavage; it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common commercial hearts are widely available.