Cluster of Amethyst Crystals
2019 © Maxim Tabachnik
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Cluster of Amethyst Crystals

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Amethyst, a purple quartz variety, gets its color from iron impurities. Its hues range from light lilac to deep plum, often showing color zoning within a single crystal. Formed inside geodes, typically in volcanic lava, amethyst ranks 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it suitable for jewelry. Found worldwide, with significant deposits in South America, it historically symbolized calmness and sobriety. Despite its abundance, larger crystals are more valuable.