Amethyst (Quartz)
mineral · common
Quick facts
- Formula
- SiO2
- Hardness
- 7
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Colors
- Purple to violet, often color-zoned
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz colored mainly by trace iron and natural irradiation. It forms as hexagonal prisms in geodes and veins and is one of the most widely sold shop crystals and mineral specimens.
Look for hexagonal prisms with pyramidal tips, vitreous luster, purple color zoning, no cleavage, and hardness high enough to scratch glass.
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Photograph your specimen on arockid.com or in RockSnap / RockID. Three free IDs a day — no card.
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