Image: Photo by and (c)2015 Derek Ramsey (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ram-Man" class="extiw" title="en:User:Ram-Man">Ram-Man</a>) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
trigonalcommonsilicates
Amethyst
SiO2
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, often forming in prismatic crystals or drusy coatings within geodes. Its characteristic color ranges from pale lilac to deep violet.
Amethyst Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
7Crystal System
trigonalLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
noneFracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
2.65Colors
purple, violetTransparency
transparentType Locality
Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Russia, South Korea, Canada, United StatesMineral Group
silicatesUses
jewelry, collector, ornamental, spiritualAssociated Minerals
calcite, goethite, hematite, feldsparRarity
commonGeological Context
Amethyst forms in hydrothermal veins and cavities within igneous rocks, particularly basaltic lavas, where silica-rich fluids deposit quartz crystals. The purple color is due to irradiation of iron impurities within the quartz lattice.
