Amethyst SiO Silcate Group, subgroup Quartz

Amethyst Point

Physical features

1. Color- Pale violet to dark violet.

2. Streak- White.

3. Luster- Vitreous.

4. Cleavage- None.

5. Transparency- Transparent to opaque.

6. Fracture- Conchoidal.

7. Hardness- 7.

8. Prismatic and terminated with hexagonal pyramids.

Amethyst is the violet variety of quartz. The color varies from pale violet to dark violet. The points are usually the darkest. Most amethyst can be found in the hollows of igneous rock cavities. The amethyst gets its coloration from the ferric iron and aluminium it contains. When exposed to heat, amethyst becomes yellow to green. Much of the fine amethyst comes from Russia and Brazil, but can be found all over the world. The Greek word for amethyst is "not drunken", which was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness. Amethyst is also a healing crystal and is known to strengthen both endocrine and the immune systems, it was also known to be a powerful blood cleaner.