AMETHYST
Introduction to amethyst
Amethyst are known for their beautiful violet to deep purple hues. It is one of the well-known
varieties of quarts. This captivating gemstone has been of cultural, spiritual, and commercial im-
portance for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations. Its name has been derived from
an ancient Greek word “amethystos,” meaning “not intoxicated,” reflecting the ancient belief that
amethyst could prevent drunkenness. Today, this gemstone has been associated with protection and
spiritual balance in all cultures.
Figure 1: Picture of an Amethyst
Origin and Discovery
In early 2000 BCE, the earliest known use of amethyst was found in Ancient Egypt, where it was
used in jewelry and engraved gems. However, the Greeks are often credited with popular-izing
amethyst and using it in drinking vessels and amulets. Although there is no single known discoverer
of amethyst, it has been mined and revered throughout various ancient cultures. Until the 19th
century, amethyst was primarily mined in Russia. However, supply increased dramatically when
natural sources of its crystals were discovered in Brazil. Today, amethyst can be found all over the
world, from Africa to Asia, to South America. Brazil remains a major supplier, and a large part of the
stones come from the southern state of Rio Grande du Sol.
The modern mineralogical classification of amethyst as a quartz variety established in the 19th
century, during the development of modern geology. Its chemical composition, physical properties,
and origin were formally studied by mineralogists throughout Europe, especially in France and
Germany.
Where Is Amethyst Found?
Amethyst is widely distributed throughout the world, with major deposits in the following countries:
Brazil: One of the largest producers, especially in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Minas
Gerais. Brazilian amethyst is often found inside large volcanic geodes.
Uruguay: Famous for producing deep purple, high-quality amethyst with exceptional clarity.
Zambia: Produces some of the finest gem-grade amethysts, known for their intense coloration
and high transparency.
Russia: Historically significant, especially in the Ural Mountains, where amethyst was once
considered as valuable as rubies and emeralds.
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Sri Lanka: Known to produce amethyst among other gemstones in alluvial deposits.
United States: Deposits exist in Arizona, North Carolina, and Georgia.
India, Madagascar, Mexico, and Canada also have amethyst occurrences.
Figure 2: Origins of Amethyst
Genesis
Amethyst belongs to the trigonal crystal structure and is a purple to violet variation of quartz
(SiO). Natural processes that include trace components and exposure to natural radia-tion under
certain geological conditions such as the creation of gas bubbles in cooling lava are what give it its
unique hue.
Typically, amethyst may be found in:
Rocks that are volcanic: Crystals can be discovered in the hollow circular geodes of amethyst, which
are found in volcanic rocks. When gas bubbles become trapped in cooling lava, these geodes are
created. Mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids then seep into these spaces, depositing quartz, which, in the
right circumstances, crystallizes to produce amethyst.
Hydrothermal Veins: Superheated water from deep under the Earth’s crust dissolves silica and
other minerals in hydrothermal veins, which is another place amethyst can originate. Iron (Fe³) and
other trace elements are incorporated into the structure of quartz as it crystal-lizes when the
temperature and pressure decrease.
Pegmatites and Metamorphic Rocks: Amethyst is also occasionally discovered as a secondary
mineral in metamorphic rocks or in pegmatitic settings.
The purple coloration of amethyst is primarily due to:
• The presence of iron (Fe³) impurities.
• Exposure to gamma radiation from surrounding rocks, which alters the iron atoms within the
quartz structure.
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• The precise mechanism is a subject of scientific study, but it is believed that iron replaces some
of the silicon atoms in the crystal lattice, and subsequent radiation creates color centers.
Amethyst occurs in a variety of crystal forms and structures, each with its own aesthetic and
geological characteristics. The following are some notable types of amethyst:
Figure 3: varieties of Amethysts
Properties of Amethyst
Amethyst is widely admired not only for its beauty but also for its physical and chemical stability.
Amethyst, a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7, is ideal for jewelry and decorative pieces due to
its resistance to scratches and everyday wear. It forms in prismatic crystals in geodes.
Figure 4: An Amethyst
Below are its main properties:
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Property Description
Chemical Formula SiO
Crystal System Trigonal
Color Violet, ranging from light to deep purple
Streak White
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale
Luster Vitreous (glassy)
Cleavage None
Fracture Conchoidal
Density 2.65 g/cm³
Transparency Transparent to translucent
Cleavage No distinct cleavage
Specific Gravity 2.65
Refractive Index 1.54 – 1.55
Fluorescence May fluoresce under UV light
Magnetism Non-magnetic
Pleochroism Weak Slight color change from different angles
Dispersion Low Minimal color separation of light
Mohs Hardness 7 Relatively hard and durable
Chemical Reactivity Inert Resistant to most acids except
Thermal Stability High hydrofluoric
Stable at acid
elevated temperatures
Table 1: Table of properties
Metals extracted
Amethyst itself is not an ore for metal extraction. It is a gemstone, not a metallic mineral, and is not
mined for its metal content. However, the formation and coloration of amethyst do involve trace
metals and elements, particularly:
Iron (Fe³):
• The primary trace element responsible for the purple hue.
• The primary trace element responsible for the purple hue.
• Present in minute amounts (in ppm levels).
• Not economically feasible to extract iron from amethyst, as quartz contains only trace levels.
Other Elements Occasionally Present:
• Aluminum (Al): May substitute for silicon in the quartz structure.
• Manganese (Mn): Sometimes associated with variations in color.
• Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na): May be present in trace amounts depending on the host rock
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References
1. https://www.ancestry.com/first-name-meaning/amethyst
2. https://www.thehealingpear.com/blogs/the-healing-pear/the-healing-properties-of-amethyst-an-in-
depth-guide
3. https://www.centreofexcellence.com/amethyst-properties/4
4. https://geologyscience.com/minerals/amethyst/
5. https://www.mindat.org/min-198.html
