Amethyst
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/14730981@N08">James Petts</a> from London, England (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mineral NameAmethyst
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorslight purple, lavender, white
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBrazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Canada
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, collector, decorative
Associated Mineralschalcedony, calcite, goethite
Raritycommon
Description
A close-up view of a geode interior, showcasing numerous small, sparkling, light purple to lavender quartz crystals with well-formed terminations.
Geological Context
Amethyst forms in hydrothermal veins and cavities, such as geodes, within volcanic rocks. The crystals grow from silica-rich fluids, with the purple color resulting from iron impurities and natural irradiation.
