Amethyst
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/26782864@N00">William Warby</a> from London, England (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameAmethyst
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorspurple, violet
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBrazil, Uruguay, Zambia
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, collector, decorative
Associated Mineralscalcite, goethite, hematite
Raritycommon
Description
A close-up view of a cluster of vibrant purple amethyst crystals, displaying a vitreous luster and well-formed hexagonal prisms.
Geological Context
Amethyst forms in hydrothermal veins and cavities within igneous rocks, particularly basaltic lava flows, where silica-rich fluids deposit quartz crystals colored by iron impurities and natural irradiation.
