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Amethyst
If you want a purple or violet gemstone - and who doesn't? - then amethyst is the one for you.
Purple, and its related colors such as violet, lavender and lilac, is a rare and very powerful color in nature. To create a purple dye in the past was a difficult and expensive process - for thousands of years only the Phoenicians knew the secret of turning sea snails in to this luxurious color.
Clothes and materials dyed purple were so costly that the color became associated with only the rich royals and clergy and this exclusivity expanded to amethyst gemstones which at the time were as rare as diamonds and rubies.
Amethyst Colors
The color of amethyst ranges from delicate lilacs and lavenders all the way through plums and violets to the deepest purples and aubergines.
Some of the finest examples can display flashes of pink, red or blue as they are turned from angle to angle or moved from one light source to another.
Amethyst Species
Amethyst is a type of quartz which includes such famous names as Citrine, Smoky Quartz and Rose Quartz in its family of gemstones.
What are the spiritual benefits of Amethyst?
Amethysts are one of the most powerful spiritual gemstones known to man and feature prominently in crystal healing and rituals.
Amongst its many qualities are:
- Calming and Soothing
- Protection
- Detoxifying and Purifying
- Improves Sleep
See our detailed article on Amethyst meaning and uses
Amethyst and the Chakras
The Chakras are energy centers situated in different parts of the body which can influence us emotionally and physically. Each Chakra has a designated color.
Amethysts are purple or violet and, as such, are linked to the Third Eye and Crown Chakras which are found at the forehead and the top of the head. These are the most spiritual Chakras with influence on intuition, meditation and wisdom.
Find more details on Chakra gemstones here
Amethyst Price
Amethysts were once as valuable and prized as rubies, emeralds and sapphires but huge discoveries in the 19th century by settlers in Brazil brought the prices down dramatically - suddenly this lovely gemstone was available to everyone.
Color is the driving force behind the price of amethyst with the deep purple color being the most sought after. An even color throughout the stone is preferred and any gem which has flashes of red or blue will increase in value.
Of course some people prefer the more subtle or pastel colored versions and really with such an affordable gemstone there is not that much price variation between the dark and light stones.
Carat Weight
Unlike other gemstones like rubies and sapphires, amethyst can be found in large carat sizes quite easily, so the price does not rise dramatically as the carat size increases.
Nice amethysts can be $5 - $50 dollars per carat all the way up to 10 carats in weight and even larger stones will max out at $80 per carat for the finest quality gemstones with excellent clarity and highly skilled cutting and are often quite a bit less.
For more details please refer to our full Amethyst Info page here
Treatments
Quartzes can be treated with heat to boost color or clear blemishes but Amethyst is often sold as a completely natural untreated gemstone.
Any treatments are clearly and fully disclosed on our product pages.
Amethyst History
Amethyst gemstones have played an important part of our history for thousands of years and have been the subject of legends and spiritual lore across many cultures.
They feature in many of the Crown Jewels of royalty including those of Queen Elizabeth of England and the famously cursed Delhi Purple Sapphire is actually an amethyst.
Where are Amethysts found?
Ancient sources of amethyst include the Ural Mountains of Russia and Wadi el-Hudi in Egypt's eastern desert but nowadays most gemstones come from Brazil and Uruguay in South America and Zambia in Africa.
What jewelry is Amethyst suitable for?
Amethyst is a quartz and rated at 7 on Mohs hardness scale which makes it durable enough for all jewelry items including daily wear pieces.
It is a relatively inexpensive gemstone and can be found in impressive large sizes. This means cutters have been allowed to be very creative with fancy cuts and shapes which, in turn, can lead to imaginative jewelry items.
Birthstones and Anniversaries
Amethyst is the official birthstone for February and would make a great gift for someone you know who has a birthday in that month.
Amethyst is the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 6th wedding anniversary.
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