What is Amethyst?
A member of the quartz mineral family, amethyst is distinguished by its mesmerizing purple hue, sometimes called purple quartz. Its color spectrum ranges from light lilac to deep, rich purple. Although historically reserved for royalty, today amethyst graces a wide array of exquisite jewelry.
Amethyst can be either naturally mined or lab-created, both variants making splendid additions to rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more. Representing the birthstone for February, it is also the traditional gift for six-year anniversaries.
History and Origins
The term “amethyst” derives from the Greek word “amethystos,” meaning ‘a remedy against drunkenness,’ possibly inspired by its wine-resembling purple color.
Up until the 19th century, amethyst was primarily sourced from Russia. However, with the discovery of natural amethyst deposits in Brazil, its supply increased dramatically. Nowadays, amethyst is mined globally, from Africa to Asia to South America, with Brazil, particularly the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, being a major supplier.
Crystal Formation
Amethyst is a quartz variety composed of silicon dioxide. Quartz forms in lava when gas bubbles get trapped, allowing crystals to develop inside these cavities. When these voids fill with silica-rich liquid, crystals start to form within volcanic rocks.
Uniquely, amethyst often grows inside large geodes—ordinary-looking rocks that hide crystal interiors. This geode formation sets amethyst apart from gems like white diamonds, which don’t form in geodes. Inside these geodes, the amethyst follows a six-sided pyramidal crystal structure.
Some Brazilian amethyst geodes are even large enough for a person to stand inside! These naturally formed geodes take millions of years to develop, often dating back to prehistoric times.
Purchasing Amethyst
When evaluating amethysts, the same criteria used for other gems apply. Keep in mind the four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat, as these determine both the price and quality.
Color
Color is the most crucial factor in valuing amethyst. Ideally, the gem should have a reddish to deep purple shade, free from color zoning. Color zoning, with bronze tints, significantly reduces the gem’s value. Additionally, stones should not be overly dark as that can make them appear dull under different lighting.
Clarity
High-quality amethysts are “eye-clean,” meaning they lack visible inclusions. Stones with inclusions are considered lesser quality and are often used for beads or cabochons. Interestingly, the number of inclusions can vary by origin, with Brazilian amethysts typically having fewer inclusions.
Cut
Amethysts can be cut into various shapes, including oval, triangle, cushion, and emerald cuts, as well as other unique freeform shapes.
Carat
When purchasing amethyst, note that the price does not significantly increase with larger carat sizes, making them an excellent choice for larger jewelry pieces.
