Amber Vs. Amethyst

Amber is a very popular gemstone composed of fossilized tree resin.^[1] Amethyst is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Amber and Amethyst

For a quick recap of the differences amber and amethyst:

• While both amber and amethyst can be translucent or transparent, amber can be opaque.
• For chemical formulas, amber is fossilized tree resin while amethyst is SiO2.
• In terms of luster, amber can be greasy or resinous while amethyst is vitreous.
• Amber can be commonly blue, green, red or yellow while amethyst can be commonly purple.
• Amber's hardness is lower than amethyst - amber ranges from 2 to 2.5 and amethyst is 7 on the Moh's scale.
  • Amber can be scratched by copper pennies (3.5), the average knife blade (4.5), glass (5.5) or quartz (7) while amethyst can not be.
• Amber's specific gravity is lower than amethyst - amber ranges from 1.05 to 1.08 and amethyst is 2.651.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Amber and Amethyst

The similarities of amber and amethyst include:

• Amber and amethyst both streak white.
• Amber's rarity is similar to amethyst.

Summary of Amber

Amber is a fossilized tree resin that has been prized for its beauty and healing properties for thousands of years. It is a mineral that has been formed over millions of years from the sap of ancient trees that was buried and compressed under sediment. The result is a translucent, golden gemstone that has become a popular material for jewelry, decorative objects, and even medicinal remedies.

Summary of Amethyst

Amethyst is a mineral that belongs to the quartz family and is known for its purple color. The color of amethyst can range from pale lilac to deep purple, depending on the concentration of iron and other trace elements present in the crystal. It is a popular gemstone and is often used for jewelry, decorative purposes, and spiritual healing.

Table Comparison of Amber vs Amethyst