Ametrine gives you all the benefits of two of the world's best loved gemstones - amethyst and citrine - in a single crystal, both in its stunning good looks and its spiritual strength.
Ametrine Colors
Ametrine is almost unique in the world of gemstones with its bicolor appearance. There are other gemstones which have two or more colors but Ametrine's color split is often quite distinct and lacks the blending found in other stones.
The two colors found in Ametrine are the purple and violet that comes from the amethyst side of the family and the yellow and orange that is created by the citrine side.
The violet and yellow colors are caused by traces of iron. The difference in color is created by the level and heating of oxidized iron impurities during formation.
Look out for Ametrine gemstones with especially vivid yellow and violet coloring as this does not occur naturally and could be the result of lab grown crystals.
Read more about gemstones colors here
Ametrine Species
Ametrine is a type of quartz and comes from the microcrystalline group which means the crystals are large enough to see with the naked eye. Other quartz gemstones belong to the microcrystalline group where the crystals are too small to be seen without a microscope.
Microcrystalline gemstone examples:
Microcrystalline gemstone examples:
In the special case of Ametrine, we have a gemstone that is made up of a combination of two microcrystalline gemstones - amethyst and citrine.
Ametrine Price
Color is the driving factor behind the price of Ametrine with deep and bright yellow and violet colors the most sought after and therefore the most expensive. A nice distinctive line breaking up the two colors is also a desirable feature.
Ametrines always have excellent clarity so avoid any gemstones that are less than eye-clean. Ametrine is a relatively plentiful and affordable gemstone so it is often used for experimental shapes or heavily faceted cuts. This can mean that there is a lot of wasted material but creates sensational looks and an increased value.
Carat Weight
Ametrine can be readily found in impressive carat weights so although the price will increase with size the price per carat remains steady.
The average price for a fine quality Ametrine gemstone will be around $5 - $8 per carat with only exceptional colors and cuts rising above this price.
Treatments
Ametrine is typically sold as an untreated and all-natural gemstone. Lightly heat treated Ametrine is definitely on the market but it is quite difficult to detect even with expensive certification. Synthetic Ametrine is easier to spot - look for very clear stones, very bright colors with a sharp line where the two colors meet and a stock of very similar or identical gemstones.
Where is Ametrine found?
The original Ametrine mine in Bolivia was reopened after some 300 years in the 1980s and named Anahi in honor of the Ayoreos princess who married a Spanish conquistador. It is still the source of much of the world's Ametrine although Brazil and Mozambique also produce lovely gemstones.
What jewelry is Ametrine suitable for?
Ametrine is a quartz and rated at 7 on Mohs hardness scale which makes it strong enough for all jewelry items including daily wear pieces.
It is an affordable gemstone which can be found in bright colors and impressive sizes so Ametrine can be fashioned into eye-catching pendants and brooches.
Birthstones and Anniversaries
Ametrine can be used as a birthstone for February and November as it is made up of amethyst and citrine which are official birthstones for those months.
In a similar way, Ametrine can be used to celebrate the 6th and 13th wedding anniversaries.
