Amethyst is a variety of quartz, composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂), known for its violet to purple color. This hue is due to the presence of iron impurities and natural irradiation. Amethyst is prized both for its aesthetic qualities and its uses in jewelry, but also for its symbolic and spiritual associations in many cultures.
Crystallizing in the trigonal system, amethyst often appears as hexagonal prismatic crystals, grouped in geodes or druses. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, making it scratch-resistant and ideal for jewelry-making or as a decorative piece. Amethyst colors range from pale to deep violet, depending on the concentration of iron impurities.
