Eye-Pleasing Amethyst Clarity

Understanding Gemstone Clarity

As implied by the term, the clarity of a gemstone is appraised based on its inclusions, essentially how “clear” it appears under various conditions. For diamonds, clarity is of utmost importance as even minor inclusions can diminish the gem’s brilliance. In the diamond market, prices are heavily affected by clarity grades, prompting some buyers to opt for stones with lower clarity for better deals.

However, the scenario differs for colored gems. The presence of visible inclusions without significantly affecting value varies by gem type. Rubies and emeralds often exhibit many inclusions, whereas amethysts and aquamarines are generally clear.

Impact of Clarity on Amethyst Value

Typically, faceted amethysts are known to be “eye clean,” meaning no visible inclusions are present when viewed without magnification. Amethyst crystals are usually cut to remove most inclusions, forming gems suitable for jewelry making. Among eye-clean amethysts, the darker-colored ones hold higher value.

Yet, a light-colored stone with good clarity can also be an appealing choice for amethyst jewelry. Such gemstones must be cleaner than darker variants to be deemed valuable. Hence, the perceived cleanliness enhances the value, explaining why deeply colored amethysts are more prized.

Amethysts with numerous inclusions that cannot be feasibly reduced are often used differently. For instance, “amethyst quartz” beads, which feature amethyst layers with white quartz centers, are popular in costume jewelry. Additionally, less clear amethysts may be cut into cabochons, showcasing their beauty in a polished form.

Varieties of Amethyst Inclusions

While the ideal amethyst should be eye-clean, understanding the different types of inclusions in amethyst crystals can be intriguing. Some inclusions, although not suitable for amethyst rings in rose gold, are unique and beautiful.

Feathers

Also known as fingerprints, feathers in amethyst are inclusions of clear liquid that resemble fine lines or feathers, thus earning their name. Common among amethysts, feathers allow light through the crystal, rarely making the stone opaque unless present in large quantities.

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Smaller Crystals

Often, an amethyst crystal encounters another, smaller crystal during its growth, generally growing around pre-existing minerals. These crystal inclusions appear as color spots within the stone and are distinguishable by their crystalline structure.

Needles

Needles are another usual inclusion, ranging from larger, distinct forms to smaller ones that resemble silk. While certain stones like rubies and sapphires boast needle inclusions that create a star, in amethysts, these inclusions often render the stone opaque, reducing its value. Nonetheless, deeply hued amethyst gems with needle inclusions are well-suited for carvings or cabochons.

Pinpoints

Pinpoints, less common inclusions, typically occur in synthetic amethyst. They resemble small dust or dirt particles entrapped within the growing amethyst crystal. In lab-created gems, pinpoints often serve as the “seed” for growing the synthetic crystal.

Indented Natural

An “indented natural” inclusion refers to a “pit” in an amethyst gem that wasn’t polished out and extends to the gem’s surface. This inclusion reflects an effort by the cutter to maximize the gemstone’s finished size.

Cavity

Formed when a different type of inclusion is displaced during cutting and polishing, cavities are imperfections that arise even with careful gem cutting. Amethyst rings in white gold might hide cavities behind prongs to minimize visibility.

Etch Channel

These appear as long, thin spaces within the amethyst crystal, resembling drill holes. Removing them through cutting and polishing is challenging, and they compromise the stone’s integrity.

Amethyst Clarity Grading

While a uniform clarity scale doesn’t exist for all colored gems, they are typically rated from AAAA to B. AAAA amethysts are untreated, eye-clean stones with a deep, rich color. AAA stones are similar but may undergo heat treatment to enhance clarity, which does not harm the gem.

AA amethysts have minor visible inclusions and may be less intense in color. Amethysts graded A and B have significant inclusions and are progressively lighter in color.

Generally, gems falling within the AAAA to AA range are considered suitable for faceting, particularly when an AA stone possesses a deep purple hue.

At Artful Bracelets, we exclusively use AAA amethysts. These stones feature excellent clarity and a deep purple hue. Though they have been heat-treated, this process is applied to all but the highest quality amethyst rough, making our amethyst jewelry top-notch.