Amethyst - What is amethyst

All about Amethyst

With its royal purple tones, Amethyst is perhaps the star among quartz gemstones. Many writers, including American novelist Anne River Siddons, have used the amethyst metaphor to describe the sky at sunrise and sunset. She writes: “Against the grape-flushed sky perfect Amethyst night.”

Amethyst is macrocrystalline quartz that occurs as geodes in abundance all over the world. Once mined in Siberia and Europe, today, amethyst is found mainly in South America and Africa. Pro tip: Prolonged exposure to light can cause colour fading in amethyst. So, store your fine amethyst jewellery wrapped in a soft cloth in your jewellery box.

The purple shades of amethyst have a vibrant yet subtle charm that makes it a winner for the masses. Shop for designer amethyst jewellery like bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings at The Jewellery Room.

The many faces of Amethyst

The hues of amethyst vary from deeper red-tinged shades of purple to lighter lilacs. The varying composition of iron in amethyst is what defines its shades.

Siberian Amethyst
The amethysts of the former Siberian mines had an intense hue that became their identity. Nowadays, dark shades of amethyst are classified as “Siberian”.

Amethyst Quartz
These gems are rougher, compact forms of amethyst with whitish stripes.

Rose de France
No, this has nothing to do with France. Brazilian amethysts have a soft pink hue that became quite popular among European royalty in the Victorian Era. And that’s probably how the name came about.

Green Amethyst
When natural amethyst undergoes heat treatment, it often metamorphoses into a green colour stone.

Amethyst can be cut in various shapes — facet, cabochon, brilliant, emerald, etc. Fine jewellery designers love the amethyst for its versatility; this semi-precious gemstone can make a statement as a solo centrepiece or an accessory to another stone.

Facts to know about Amethyst

Amethyst has been revered as a protective gemstone for millennia. Ancient Egyptians wore amethyst amulets to guard themselves against harm. The gemstone probably derived its name from Ancient Greek (amethystos = not drunk). The people of Ancient Greece believed that Amethyst talismans protected one from the effects of intoxication.

With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, this durable gemstone was rare and costly until the South American sources were discovered. The birthstone for February and Pisceans, amethyst is the best gemstone gift to celebrate your sixth wedding anniversary. So why wait? Visit thejewelleryroom.com for designer amethyst jewellery with authentic certified gemstones.