Ametrine is a distinct color-zoned variety of quartz that naturally displays both purple amethyst and yellow citrine within the same crystal. It forms due to specific iron oxidation gradients and thermal conditions during crystallization, most famously found in the Anahi mine in Bolivia.
Is this ametrine?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch ametrine with a known reference. Ametrine sits at Mohs 7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ametrine leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ametrine typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, purple, violet, gold.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Ametrine vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ametrine
Minerals reported to co-occur with ametrine. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $10-100 per gram for gem rough, $50-500+ for cut stones.
Where rockhounds find ametrine
Classic worldwide localities
- Anahi Mine, Bolivia
- Brazil
- India
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in pegmatites country — that is the host setting where ametrine typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ametrine?+
Where is ametrine found?+
How much is ametrine worth?+
What rocks look like ametrine?+
What minerals are found with ametrine?+
What kind of rock does ametrine form in?+
What is ametrine used for?+
Find ametrine on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
