Image: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
trigonalcommonSilicates
Amethyst
SiO2
This image displays vibrant purple amethyst crystals, often forming druzy layers within a geode or vug, with reddish-brown hematite inclusions visible within or on the surface of the crystals.
Amethyst Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
7Crystal System
trigonalLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
noneFracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
2.65Colors
purple, violetTransparency
transparentType Locality
Brazil, Uruguay, Siberia, ZambiaMineral Group
SilicatesUses
jewelry, collector, spiritualAssociated Minerals
quartz, hematite, calcite, goethite, feldsparRarity
commonGeological Context
Amethyst is a variety of quartz that forms in hydrothermal veins, geodes, and volcanic rocks, typically from silica-rich solutions. Its characteristic purple color is attributed to irradiation and iron impurities within the crystal lattice.
