What gives the gem amethyst its purplish color?

A. Oxygen

B. Quartz

C. Iron

D. Titanium

The question is asking us to determine what gives the Amethyst its purplish color. Amethyst colors range from light to dark purple. The most highly regarded are the transparent deep purple colors. Amethyst (chemical formula: Si O2) is the purple variety of the mineral Quartz. The pure Quartz is often colorless. Amethyst gets its purplish color because of the presence of Iron (Fe) and other impurities in the gem. Answer: C. Iron.