Amethyst is just one of many varieties of Quartz, but it is certainly one of the most popular, a favorite of collectors, decorators and jewelers. It is the purple/violet variety of the mineral Quartz and the most valuable of all the Quartz varieties. Because of its color, clarity, hardness (7 on the Mohs hardness scale), abundance and affordability, this exceptional mineral is widely used for gems. One of its more aesthetic qualities is the uneven distribution of color, often much more intense at a crystal termination. Amethyst is renowned for its beautiful and glass-like crystals.

The crystal system for Amethyst is hexagonal, typically forming a six-sided prismatic crystal with six-sided pyramidal (pyramid) termination. These crystals can be short, tall, extremely large and in clusters. Other forms include druzy aggregates, in geodes, massive, striated, with scepter and hopper growth, and phantoms (pre-existing “ghost-like” crystals within a larger crystal).

Amethyst is a very common mineral and is found throughout the world. A few notable localities include Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay and the USA (Georgia).