Prolonged exposure to moisture and heat can also cause color to fade.Īmethyst has a long association with man and until the discovery of great quantities in South America it was valued as highly as diamonds. With the correct cutting, this pale lilac gemstone can display dramatic color changes from red to blue when viewed from different angles – a phenomenon called pleochroism.Īmethyst crystals are sensitive to sunlight, if they are exposed for too long a period the color can fade considerable and this cannot be reversed. Rose de France is found mostly in Brazil but healthy deposits have been located in other parts of South America such as Bolivia and in Zambia in Africa. Unfortunately the mines of Siberia have been exhausted so now Siberian Amethyst only refers to the color not the source.Īnother popular color is Rose de France, a pale rose or light lilac colored stone with better examples showing even color throughout. Siberia in Russia once produced the finest amethyst crystals in a particular rich purple color that was fired by red and blue flashes. Too deep a color can look black in dim lighting so this can diminish their value. The deeper colors are the most valuable with strong reddish purple or deep purple with no color variation throughout the stone the most popular. The color purple is associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, ambition, think of those kings and nobles wrapped in long purple robes and the religious leaders and buildings draped in purple decorations on their most holy occasions.Īmethyst is purple quartz, from lilacs with pink undertones and delicate lavenders all the way up to deep plums and raspberries with hints of red and blue and even some rich brown versions. It owes its vibrant color to the presence of iron or manganese (sometimes both) when forming in fissures within igneous rocks from nearly all parts of the globe. Not long ago, amethyst were part of the five cardinal gems considered the most valuable, diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire being the other four.Īmethyst is a semi precious gemstone which is hard enough to be used in a variety of jewelry pieces and its availability in large sizes means it can be used for some stunning ornate carvings. In the crystal kingdom, Amethyst is the eye-catching purple or violet regent which is by far the most popular and valuable form of quartz in the world today. Lapidaries can use amethysts for any type of jewelry setting, including rings, as well as carvings, beads, and other decorative objects.Amethyst's name comes from the Greek word 'amethystos' meaning not intoxicating as in ancient times it was thought that the crystal would prevent you from getting drunk! As quartz, amethysts belong to a species distinct from topaz, sapphire, and kunzite.įor more examples of gemstones with false or misleading names, consult this list. Avoid using them and be alert if vendors use these monikers without explaining the gem’s true identity. For example, violet sapphire is sometimes referred to as “oriental amethyst” and kunzite as “lithia amethyst.”Īll these names are erroneous and misleading.

Other gem species sometimes receive names connecting them to amethyst. You might encounter amethysts heated to a brownish yellow color sold as “Madeira topaz.” Stones with lighter shades are sometimes sold as “Palmyra topaz,” while amethysts heated to a reddish color sometimes receive the name “Spanish topaz.” The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931. Prismatic crystals and negative cavities, thumbprint marks, so-called rippled fractures, and twinning lines.īrooch, gold and amethysts. Uniaxial (+)įrom the Ancient Greek amethystos, meaning “not drunk.” It was believed you could drink all night and remain sober if you had an amethyst in your mouth. Weak to moderate, purple and reddish purple. May have color zoning.Īmethyst can be heat treated to improve the color or change it to citrine. Flower ring with 6 mm amethyst center stone and 2.5 mm accent amethysts.

Amethyst gemstone online