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Amethyst




Formula:
SiO
 
2
Colour:PurpleLustre:Vitreous
Name:From Greek "a-methystos", meaning not drunk.
A variety of Quartz

A purple variety of quartz. The colour is caused by iron impurities in the 10s to 100s parts per million range (see references).
If heated, amethyst turns yellow-brown to dark brownish.

Classification of Amethyst

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Physical Properties of Amethyst

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Purple

Chemical Properties of Amethyst

Formula:
SiO
 
2
Essential elements:O, Si
All elements listed in formula:O, Si

Other Names for Amethyst

Synonyms:
Amethystine AgateAmethystine quartzBishops StoneLavendineSpirit Quartz
Other Languages:
Basque:Amatista
Bulgarian:Аметист
Catalan:Ametista
Czech:Ametyst
Danish:Ametyst
Dutch:Amethist
Esperanto:Ametisto
Estonian:Ametüst
Finnish:Ametisti
French:Améthyste
Georgian:ამეთვისტო
German:Amethyst
Bacchusstein
Haaramethyst
Greek:Αμέθυστος
Hebrew:אחלמה
אמתיסט
Hungarian:Ametiszt
Irish Gaelic:Aimitis
Italian:Ametista
Japanese:アメジスト
紫水晶
Kazakh (Cyrillic Script):Аметист
Latin:Amethystus
Latvian:Ametists
Lithuanian:Ametistas
Nahuatl:Tlapaltehuilōtl
Norwegian (Bokmål):Ametyst
Polish:Ametyst
Portuguese:Ametista
Romanian:Ametist
Russian:Аметист
Samogitian:Ametėsts
Serbian (Cyrillic Script):Аметист
Simplified Chinese:紫水晶
Slovak:Ametyst
Slovenian:Ametist
Spanish:Amatista
Swedish:Ametist
Thai:เขี้ยวหนุมาน
Turkish:Ametist
Ukrainian:Аметист
Wolof:Ametist
Varieties:
Hair Amethyst

Other Information

Health Warning:Quartz is usually quite harmless unless broken or powdered. Broken crystals and masses may have razor-sharp edges that can easily cut skin and flesh. Handle with care. Do not grind dry since long-term exposure to finely ground powder may lead to silicosis.

References for Amethyst

Reference List:Vasconcelos P, Wenk HR, Rossman GR (1994) The Anahí ametrine mine,
Bolivia. Gems and Gemology 30, 4-23.

Rossman GR (1994) The colored varieties of the silica minerals. In: P.J.
Haney, ed., Reviews in Mineralogy 29, 433-468.

Balitsky VS, Lu T, Rossman GR, Makhina IB, Mar'in, AA, Shigley JE, Elen S,
Dorogovin BA (1999) Russian synthetic ametrine. Gems and Gemology 35,
122-134.

Internet Links for Amethyst

Search Engines:
  • Look for Amethyst on Google
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  • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Search for Amethyst from all mineral dealers at minfind.com
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Find Amethyst on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
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    Localities for Amethyst

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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