Image: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
trigonalcommonSilicates
Amethyst
SiO2
This image displays a cluster of vibrant purple amethyst crystals, exhibiting their characteristic hexagonal prismatic habit and vitreous luster. Some crystals show reddish-brown inclusions, likely hematite as indicated by the image title.
Amethyst Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
7Crystal System
trigonalLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
noneFracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
2.65Colors
purple, violet, lavenderTransparency
transparentType Locality
Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Russia, Canada, USAMineral Group
SilicatesUses
jewelry, ornamental, collectorAssociated Minerals
quartz, calcite, zeolites, hematite, goethiteRarity
commonGeological Context
Amethyst forms in hydrothermal veins, geodes, and cavities within volcanic rocks, where silica-rich fluids containing trace amounts of iron are subjected to natural irradiation. It is a variety of quartz, with its purple color attributed to iron impurities and natural irradiation.
