Purple Gemstones
Purple gemstones and crystals — 21 popular purple stones with photos and identification notes. Looking for purple crystal names for jewellery, collecting or a daily-carry stone? Start here, then test yourself in the crystal quiz.
Crystals that are purple
Stones get their purple colour from trace elements or inclusions, and the same mineral species can occur in several colours — so colour alone never confirms an identification. The most recognisable crystals and gemstones that are purple include Amethyst, Tanzanite, Fluorite, Charoite, Lepidolite, Bornite. Below is every purple stone in Gemdle with photos, Mohs hardness and how to tell them apart — pair it with the guided identifier to narrow down an unknown specimen.
Mainly purple stones & crystals
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Amethyst
Mohs 7 (lower in impure varieties)
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Tanzanite
Mohs 6.5
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Fluorite
Mohs 4 (defining mineral)
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Charoite
Mohs 5 - 6
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Lepidolite
Mohs 2.5–3
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Bornite
Mohs 3–3.25
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Ametrine
Mohs 7
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Sugilite
Mohs 6–
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Alexandrite
Mohs 8.5
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Rhodolite
Mohs 7.0–7.5
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Scapolite
Mohs 5.5–6
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Purpurite
Mohs 4–5
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Erythrite
Mohs 1.5–2.5
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Stichtite
Mohs 1.5–2
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Kunzite
Mohs 6.5–7
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Iolite
Mohs 7–7.5
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Hackmanite
Mohs 5.5–6
Stones that also occur in purple
These minerals are best known in other colours but are also found in purple — so a purple specimen is possible, though the photo here may show a different shade. Confirm the colour of the actual stone, not just the species.
