What is Amethyst?

Amethyst is a purple colored mineral that is considered a valuable gemstone. It has a vitreous luster, and a white streak. Amethyst has a hardness of 7 on the mohs hardness scale.

Amethyst is one of the many varieties of quartz. It is made of silicon dioxide, and has the chemical formula SiO². It is part of the trigonal crystal system.

Where is Amethyst Found?

Amethyst is widely produced in many states of Brazil and Uruguay. These include Brazilian states Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Matto Grossa, Espirito Santo, Bahia, and Ceará. Amethyst is also found in Artigas, Uruguay.

Amethyst is also found and is mined in South Korea, Austria, southern India, Zambia, and Russia.

Amethyst is found in many states of the United States, which include Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming(in Yellowstone National Park), Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. It is also common in Canadian provinces like Ontario and Nova Scotia.

The Value of Amethyst

Amethyst used to be one of the most valuable gemstones in the world, until the 18th century. This is because large deposits of amethyst were found in Brazil, and the value decreased since then.

Uses of Amethyst

Amethyst is an extremely popular gemstone, because of its deep, purple color. Large pieces of amethyst are sometimes carved into ornaments or decorative pieces. Amethyst is also believed by many  people to have healing powers, and to ward off drunkenness.