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Gemstone Crystal System Density Hardness Refractive index Treatments
Amethyst hexagonal (trigonal) 2.66 7 1.544-1.553 heating alters to citrine

 

 

 

 

Amethyst Crystals and Faceted Stone

Color:
By definition, must be a shade of violet or purple.

Clarity: Type I
Optic Character:
DR Uniaxial positive
Cause of Color: Color centers and iron impurities; irradiation
Fluorescence: Inert
Fracture : Concoidal

Luster : Vitreous
Cleavage :
None
Durability: Good

Characteristics for Identification:
Color zoning; twin planes; bulls eye interference figure, 2 and 3 phase inclusions, "fingerprint" inclusions, negtive crystals
.

Localities:
Brazil, Russia, East Africa with hundreds of additional locations.


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Amethyst
Chemical: SiO2

Amethyst is a purple variety of the mineral quartz. It occurs in all intensities of the color purple from a light pastel to a depth of royal splendor. Until the beginning of the 20th century it was quite rare and costly. When vast deposits were found in Brazil, amethyst became very accessible and affordable. Amethyst has always been linked to the thinking process, ensuring clarity of vision. It inspires creativity, courage and valor.
Amethyst has been successfully synthesized in the lab, so buyers need to be sure their source is qualified to separate natural from lab grown material.

Amethyst can be confused with:
Iolite
Scapolite

Quartz Family:

Amethyst
Citrine
Ametrine
Rutilated Quartz
Smokey Quartz
Rose Quartz
Dendritic Quartz
Tourmalinated Quartz
Phantom Quartz


Microcrystalline
Quartz:

Agate
Chrysoprase
Jasper
Carnelian
Bloodstone
Onyx

amethyst
The Gemology Project: Amethyst