In Ancient Greek mythology, it is believed that the god Dionysus dyed this gemstone with his tears. While the myth is somewhat intricate, the stone became synonymous with purity. The story goes that Dionysus, known for his love of wine, sought something to unleash his anger upon when a young maiden crossed his path.
The young girl was on her way to worship at the temple of the goddess Diana. Crying out for aid, the goddess turned the maiden into a shimmering white quartz stone.
Once Dionysus realized his mistake, he wept into his goblet of wine, causing it to spill over the newly formed stone, supposedly dyeing the quartz a beautiful purple.
The Symbolism of Amethyst
Over the centuries, amethyst has been used in royal jewelry as purple is a color often associated with royalty. The English monarchy’s royal jewels exhibit stunning examples of this stone, also present in the collections of the Bavarian, Norwegian, and Luxembourg royal families.
In Christianity, amethyst has been worn historically in Bishop rings to symbolize Christ.
The Four C’s:
If you’re a jewelry enthusiast, you likely understand that Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity greatly influence a gemstone’s value. The same applies to amethyst, although these factors don’t affect it quite the same way they do other gems.
Color:
Amethyst’s color varies widely from clear to deep purple, sometimes displaying tints of bronze or brown, which significantly impact its value.
Also, watch for color zoning. Variations in color across the stone can substantially decrease its value.
Clarity:
Clarity matters, but as long as inclusions aren’t visible to the naked eye, they won’t greatly diminish your stone’s value. In fact, an amethyst with a strong color can retain its worth even with minor flaws.
Cut:
Amethysts can be cut into numerous shapes, ensuring you’ll find a style you love. Standard cuts include rounds, pears, ovals, and cushions, and it can also be fashioned into unique shapes.
If adventurous, you may even find amethysts cut into bespoke, one-of-a-kind forms.
Carat:
Carat weight always plays a critical role in the value of gemstones. Amethyst is often chosen as a centerpiece because its cost doesn’t increase as dramatically with size compared to other stones. Hence, a larger amethyst will be relatively more affordable than diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
Where is Natural Amethyst Found?
Natural amethyst is discovered within geodes, growing as crystals in these hollow rocks worldwide. Nevertheless, the largest geodes generally come from South America, and the darkest hues are typically found in Australia.
How is Amethyst Graded?
Whether you were born in February or simply adore this captivating purple gemstone, understanding its grading is essential.
Amethysts are typically graded on a scale from AAAA to B.
AAAA Grading:
Extremely rare, only 1% of all amethysts receive this rating. These stones exhibit no visible inclusions and possess a distinctly dark purple hue, making them of heirloom quality.
AAA Grading:
Only 10% of amethysts fall into this category. These gemstones are flawless to the naked eye and boast a medium to dark purple color.
AA Grading:
About 33% of amethysts on the market are graded AA. These stones typically show slight inclusions and possess a medium purple color.
A Grading:
Considered good, light purple amethysts fall into this category and may have slight to moderate inclusions.
B Grading:
Although B grade amethysts exist, they’re not recommended for jewelry due to visible inclusions and gray or brown hues. These stones are more commonly cut into cabochons or beads but can be treated to achieve a richer purple.
Choosing an Amethyst Engagement Ring
Amethyst engagement rings are a trendy and distinctive way to express your love. The deep purple hues exude a slightly vintage charm, making them an appealing choice for an engagement ring. Regardless of the style, an amethyst ring will undoubtedly withstand the test of time.
Amethyst Durability
Ranking about 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, amethyst is a durable yet stunning gemstone for jewelry. Although not as strong as diamonds or sapphires, it is still suitable for daily wear if properly cared for. Its beauty and resilience make it an excellent choice for an engagement ring.
Taking Care of an Amethyst Engagement Ring
Proper care is paramount to maintain the beauty of gemstone and diamond engagement rings alike. Avoid direct impacts on the amethyst and ensure the setting is protective and aesthetically pleasing. Surrounding the amethyst with diamonds can add to its beauty while offering additional protection.
Though you can wear your amethyst ring daily, store it in a soft jewelry box at night and keep it away from other items that might scratch it. Amethyst can dull if exposed to direct sunlight, so avoid wearing it during activities like showering or swimming.or while applying lotions.
Lab or Natural Amethyst?
Natural amethyst is still widely found, but synthetically produced amethyst, also known as lab-grown amethyst, has become popular. These synthetic amethysts are created through a hydrothermal growth process that forms the beautiful purple stone crystals inside a high-pressure autoclave. This method creates amethysts that closely mimic high-quality natural stones. Much like lab-grown diamonds, lab-grown amethysts share the same chemical and physical properties as their natural counterparts. Distinguishing between the two typically requires expensive gemological testing to verify if an amethyst is naturally sourced.
While lab-grown amethysts match their natural counterparts chemically and optically, there are a couple of key differences to note. Lab-grown stones tend to have a more uniform purple color (a delight for purple enthusiasts) and generally lack the imperfections often found in natural amethyst crystals due to the controlled growing environment. Natural amethysts can display slight flaws and a color range from purple to white to blue. Look for inclusions like bubbles or cracks within the gem, as these can indicate it is a natural crystal. You’re practically a gemological expert now!
It’s fascinating to note that most amethysts available today have undergone heat treatment to accentuate and intensify their characteristic purple hue.
FAQs
What does amethyst do? What is it used for?
Amethyst is often referred to as an “all-purpose stone.” It is believed to instill calmness and tranquility, reduce anxiety, and alleviate pain.
The gemstone is also used to protect against stress and anxiety, along with their associated symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and nervousness. Additionally, amethyst is thought to assist with cell regeneration and improve skin health. Quite a versatile stone!
