Learn About Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
Amethyst
- Quartz
- , ,
- 7 Mohs
- Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February Birthstone
Round
Pear
Oval
Round
Pear
OvalOverview
Renowned for its splendorous hue, an amethyst is the most popular variety of quartz. This stunning semi-precious stone is formed in geodes called "hollow rocks". Found all across the globe, they develop underground in long prismatic clusters above the geode base.
Typically, this gemstone occurs as a six-sided crystal and a crystalline crust that coats other rocks. Most of the amethyst jewelry available today is created from the pyramid-shaped crystal formations.
1. Key Origin
- While South America is still the most prominent source for large sized amethyst stones, they are also found in Brazil, United States, Canada, Mexico, Africa, Australia and India.
- While the mines in Africa produce some of the most deep-purple colored and smaller sized amethyst stones, Australia is renowned for the darkest varieties.
2. Associations
- An amethyst is attributed with the power to calm the mind and prevent conflicting emotions.
- It is also regarded to be the birthstone for those born in February as well as the gem for the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries.
Properties
Rated 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
Amethyst is an attractive gemstone with a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale, which makes it relatively hard. Its durability causes it to be a popular choice for both simple and ornate jewelry, including rings. However, proper safety measures must be taken to avoid scratches or any other kind of damage.
02Treatment
Since the beginning, amethyst stones have been heat treated to mainly enhance their color and improve the clarity. Most of them available in the market today are synthetically enhanced to achieve darker shades, since those are more popular than a light-colored amethyst. Heating this gemstone in a controlled environment at a temperature ranging from 400 to 500 degrees Celsius can intensify its hue and transform it into a royal purple shade. This is a widely used treatment and its effects are permanent.
Properties
Rated 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
Amethyst is an attractive gemstone with a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale, which makes it relatively hard. Its durability causes it to be a popular choice for both simple and ornate jewelry, including rings. However, proper safety measures must be taken to avoid scratches or any other kind of damage.
02Treatment
Since the beginning, amethyst stones have been heat treated to mainly enhance their color and improve the clarity. Most of them available in the market today are synthetically enhanced to achieve darker shades, since those are more popular than a light-colored amethyst. Heating this gemstone in a controlled environment at a temperature ranging from 400 to 500 degrees Celsius can intensify its hue and transform it into a royal purple shade. This is a widely used treatment and its effects are permanent.
Know About Other Gems
Amethyst
"Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.”
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
- Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
- Round
Pear
Oval
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
Once exclusive only to the royals, the amethyst has now become a popular gemstone due to the ease of availability. Its value primarily depends on the color, along with a few other factors that are mentioned below:
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- The amethyst is known for its captivating purple brilliance.
- It is available in a variety of colors (ranging from pale lilac to deep reddish purple); however this gemstone in a dark color is considered more valuable.
- Some of the finest amethyst stones display a deep reddish-purple or purple hue. No visible color zoning also greatly adds to its worth.
02Carat
- The abundant availability of amethysts in large sizes ensures its value is not dependent on the carat weight. Rather, it is the color that majorly influences the stone's worth.
03Clarity
- Most of the faceted amethyst gemstones available today are free from eye-visible inclusions, however there are exceptions.
- In the case of a high-quality amethyst with a rich color, minor inclusions are often overlooked.
- The expensive versions of this gem radiate exceptional clarity, while light or pastel colored amethyst stones with visible inclusions are relatively easy on the pocket.
04Cuts
- An amethyst is often cut into a variety of shapes with pear, emerald-cut, square, trillion, cabochon, round, oval, cushion, and heart being the most common.
- This gemstone is also cut into an assortment of free-hand shapes that are achieved with the help of automated cutting or by hand.
- Amethyst stones in these designer cuts make for one-of-a-kind pieces that are very expensive.
Quality & Grading
Even though there is currently no standardized grading system for an amethyst, it can be classified into the following categories of quality based on its various characteristics.
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Dark Purple | Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Prong-Set Amethyst Teardrop V-Bale Pendant with Diamond$1689 |
| Best (AAA) |  Medium Dark Purple | Eye Clean | High | Top 10% |
Classic Amethyst Linear Tennis Bracelet$559 |
| Better (AA) |  Medium Purple | Slightly Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Classic Round Amethyst and Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring$1779 |
| Good (A) |  Light Purple | Slightly Included | Low | Top 75% |
V-Bale Pear-Shaped Amethyst Solitaire Pendant$469 |
Latest Pick from Amethyst Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Amethyst and Diamond Twisted Vine Ring
$2779
Solitaire Oval Amethyst Criss Cross Ring with Diamonds
$2089
Vintage Style Cushion Amethyst Solitaire Ring
$959
Classic Cushion Amethyst Solitaire Ring with Hidden Accents
$1509
Solitaire Amethyst Infinity Knot Ring
$1199
Care Instructions
The mesmerizing amethyst is a fairly hard stone and to a large extent is perfect for daily wear. However, there are a few things one needs to keep in mind to maintain its luster.
FAQs
1. Are there any symbolic meanings associated with amethyst?
Amethyst is the February birthstone and it symbolizes tranquility and spirituality. It is believed to be closely associated with royalty, healing and calmness.
2. Are amethysts rare?
Not really. Amethyst is not a very rare gemstone, as it's abundant and found in various locations. However, deep purple amethysts with minimal inclusions are relatively rare.
3. Are amethysts expensive?
Amethysts are relatively affordable compared to emeralds, sapphires and diamonds. However, some high-quality amethysts with minimal inclusions, such as the Siberian amethyst and ametrine, are more expensive due to their scarcity.
4. Is amethyst durable?
With a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale, amethyst is fairly durable, making it suitable for everyday wear. However, it’s prone to chipping and abrasions, so it is important to handle amethyst with proper care.
5. How are amethyst formed?
Amethyst is a variety of the quartz mineral. They are formed in volcanic rocks from silica-rich liquids that crystallize and cool over time. Their beautiful purple hue comes from iron impurities in the crystal structure.
