Amethyst
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Amethyst is a violet (or purple) variety of the mineral quartz, the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s continental crust. Also amethyst has been found all over the world, extremely large cuts are rare. This is primarily due to its unconventional crystal structure, which is unlike any other variety of quartz.
The purple color of amethyst was originally attributed to the presence of manganese, but more recent research has shown it to be due to ferric iron impurities. Amethyst has a hardness rating of 7 on the Mohs scale, and has been found in a number of locations around the world, spread across several continents. It is produced in abundance in Brazil, where it occurs within volcanic rocks in the state of Minas Gerais, and other large deposits have been found in Vera Cruz and Guerrero, Mexico, along with various locations in South Korea, Austria, Uruguay, India, Russia and Zambia.
Factors That Affect Value
The main factors that affect gemstone valuation are the ‘Four C’s’ of color, cut, clarity and carat (size), as well as geographical origin and its rarity. Amethyst was originally a valuable gemstone, but discoveries of large deposits (such as those in Brazil) have considerably affected the value. The value of even the finest and rarest grade, Deep Siberian, is dependent on market demand at the time of its discovery.
In terms of color, Amethyst can be found in primary hues that vary from a light pinkish-violet color to deep purple, and has secondary hues of red and/or blue. It does however have to be of a purple color to be labeled ‘amethyst’, with other colors of quartz having different names, including Prasiolite - a bright green variety that is also sometimes wrongly called ‘Green amethyst’, Rose quartz - a pink variety, and Smoky quartz - a brown-gray variety. On rare occasions bio-colored stones have been found.
The most valuable hue is known as ‘Deep Siberian’, and is approximately 80 percent purple and 20 percent blue, though this is dependent on the light source. Daylight can affect the color, and some purple stones are even pale to colorless in daylight.
Enhancements and Treatments
The color of amethyst can be changed by heating, with temperatures as little as 250C required to change a smoky or purple stone into a yellow-orange variety known as citrine. Most commercial citrine is produced in this way, as it is extremely rare to find in naturally.
Meanings of Amethyst
Amethyst has several traditional meanings. The ancient Greeks and Romans used to drink from vessels made of the mineral, such as wine goblets, as well as wear it, in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. The name ‘amethyst’ actually comes from the ancient Greek for ‘not intoxicated’.
It is said to protect the wearer from harm, and was used by the ancient Egyptians and medieval European soldiers as protection in battle. Beads of amethyst have been found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England.
Amethyst has long been associated with God and religion, and was the stone of bishops and cardinals. It has also had a number of miraculous powers attributed to it, such as the ability to protect crops and animals, to combat insect bites, to beautify the skin and to prevent the wearer against seduction.
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