What color is an amethyst stone?
Amethyst is a purple-colored variety of crystalline quartz (α-quartz). The name comes from the ancient Greek “amethyst“(α – “not” + μέθυστος – “be drunk”). Amethyst was identified as a variety of quartz only in 1708 by the Swiss naturalist D. Schuchzer. Chemical composition: SiO2; Syngony: Trigonal, Trigonal-trapezohedral symmetry class (point group); Color: Purple, violet, red-violet with fawn shades. Some amethysts have an alexandrite effect (change in color depending on the type of lighting). The purple color in amethyst is due to the color-forming paramagnetic complex [FeO 4 ] 0 with charge transfer according to the scheme [O – →Fe 4+ ].
Diagnostic properties
| physical properties | |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness: | 7 |
| Density: | 2.66±0.01 g/cm 3 |
| Cleavage: | imperfect |
| Kink: | conchoidal |
| Optical properties | |
|---|---|
| Optical character: | anisotropic, uniaxial, positive |
| Refractive index: | no =1.544, ne = 1.553 |
| Birefringence: | 0.009 |
| Dichroism: | faint to distinct, purple to reddish-purple tones |
| Light dispersion: | 0.013 (BG); |
| Shine: | glass |
Characteristic inclusions and structural heterogeneities
Two-phase (gas-liquid) inclusions in amethyst. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting. 
Inclusion of goethite in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – transmitted light. 
Structural and color zoning in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – transmitted light. 
Two-phase inclusions in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – transmitted light. 
Two-phase inclusions in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – reflected light. 
Interference pattern of natural amethyst. Viewing mode – dark field. 
Structural and color zoning in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – transmitted light. 
Color zoning in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – transmitted diffused light. 
Mineral inclusion (presumably calcite) in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting 
Growth zoning in natural amethyst. Viewing mode – dark field 
Inclusions of lepidocrocite in natural amethyst, Vatikha (Ural). Viewing mode – darkfield lighting
Basic methods of refining
| Upgrading method | Goal |
|---|---|
| Heat treatment (in the temperature range 100-200°C) | Elimination of smoky and brownish tints, as well as for lightening dark stones |
Synthetic analogues and imitations
- colorless quartz subjected to radiation treatment;
- surface colored quartz;
- quartz subjected to the process of “ion impregnation” – very rare;
- doublet: quartz + glass;
- colored glass.
Characteristic inclusions and structural heterogeneities
Accumulation of dye in a cavity on the surface of natural colored quartz. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting.
Distribution of dye along the drilling channel and along cracks in natural colored quartz. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting.
Distribution of dye along a crack in natural colored quartz. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting.
Mineral inclusion in synthetic quartz. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting.
A characteristic veil pattern in synthetic amethyst. Viewing mode – reflected light.
Twinning according to the “Brazilian” law in synthetic amethyst. Viewing mode – reflected light
Inclusions of the “breadcrumbs” type in synthetic amethyte. Viewing mode – reflected light.
Twinning according to the “Brazilian” law in synthetic amethyst. Reflected light viewing mode.
Seed fragment in synthetic amethyst. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting.
Gas-liquid inclusion in the seed of synthetic amethyst. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting.
Characteristic mineral inclusions in synthetic amethyst of the “chrysanthemum” type, represented by an intergrowth of needle-shaped crystals (probably wollastonite). Viewing mode – dark-field lighting
Seed fragment in synthetic amethyst. Viewing mode – transmitted diffused light.
Two-phase gas-liquid inclusions in synthetic amethyst. Viewing mode – dark-field lighting
Amethyst is a popular inexpensive semi-precious jewelry stone, a mineral of igneous origin, predominantly violet or lilac in color. Suitable for many all zodiac signs, but traditionally it is considered a stone for the air signs Aquarius, Gemini, Libra.
How to wear amethyst? This mineral is good both in gold of any shade and in silver. There are no restrictions on the type of jewelry – gold earrings with amethyst, ring or pendant. This stone is suitable for both men and women; it goes well with white stones – diamonds or cubic zirconia, yellow citrines or sapphires.
How to clean amethyst at home? Place the jewelry in a weak solution of water, baby soap and a few drops of ammonia, then rinse in clean water and wipe with a soft cloth.
Jewelry with amethysts must be stored in a closed box; constant exposure to sunlight can cause the stone to become light and cloudy.
Where to buy amethyst, you know: the best stones, the ability to choose the desired shade and cut – only in the catalog of the 3 Karat jewelry store, our polite consultants will help you choose jewelry.
Amethyst price commercial quality ranges from $10 to $35 depending on origin, shade, size and cut quality, which is comparable to the cost of other colored semi-precious stones (citrine, topaz, garnet).
Properties of amethysts
Chemical composition: Amethyst is a type of silica containing impurities of iron, manganese and titanium.
Transparency: Amethyst can be transparent or translucent depending on the degree of impurities and depth of color.
Refraction: Amethyst is refractive, making it shiny and attractive for use in jewelry.
Stone hardness: 7 points on the Mohs scale (0 to 10).
Cut: Amethysts acquire luxurious shine and radiance with any cut. The diamond cut visually “lightens” the stone; in the square, baguette and octagon shapes the stone shows its transparency, but the most beautiful and deep color is in the “pear”, “trilliant”, “cushion”, “oval” cuts. The larger the stone, the richer the color.
Title. The stone owes its beautiful name to the ancient Greek nymph Ametis, who became an accidental victim of the god of wine Dionysus. He was angry with the people because they stopped worshiping him and decided to give the first person he came across to be torn to pieces by the tigers. By fateful chance, it was a beautiful girl who was saved by the goddess of the hunt Diana, turning her into a stone statue. The repentant Dionysus rushed to pour wine on it, trying to bring it back to life, but the statue remained stone forever, acquiring a touching purple sheen. Obviously, this is due to the healing property of the stone to save from alcohol addiction. Purple color is recognized as the main shade of amethyst, which belongs to the quartz mineral family. Although chemists believe that the lavender color is due to an admixture of iron.
Did you know? A few little-known facts about amethyst:
- Amethyst is a symbol of Cathedral Square in Kyiv. In the center of the square there is a granite column with an amethyst in the shape of a horse’s head. This indicates the important role of the horse in the history of Ukraine.
- In Egypt, amethyst was used as protection against disease, infection and the evil eye.
- Amethyst is known for its energetic properties. It is considered effective in enhancing intuition and developing spiritual awareness. This is the stone of white magicians.
- In medieval Europe, amethyst was used to make crowns, earrings and other jewelry for royalty and nobles, as violet purple has always been considered the color of the aristocracy.
- Amethyst can change color at high temperatures, for example, when firing amethyst, the green color can change to yellow or lilac. If the stone is kept in the sun for a long time, it may lose its brightness.
- The largest amethyst known to mankind is located in the Museum of Jewels and Weapons at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul and weighs. more than 1000 kg!
Where are the most beautiful amethysts mined?
Бразилия. Brazil has the richest reserves of amethyst clusters, where classic purple and rare crimson crystals are found, but the extraction of stones in Brazilian mines is a very complex technological process. A peculiarity of Brazilian amethysts is their rapid “fading” in the sun. That is why it is advisable to store products with amethysts in closed boxes. A rare, expensive and beautiful mint amethyst, prasiolite, is also mined here.
Prasiolite (vermarine) semi-precious variety of green, clear quartz is extremely popular due to dwindling supplies and a relatively low and affordable price. Small, fragile, crystals from emerald to tourmaline with a beautiful uneven hue were discovered in 1950 in Brazil, but now more often laboratory green quartz is replacing natural quartz. The average price of natural prasiolite starts from $20 per carat. The main deposits of prasiolite in Brazil are the Santana do Garambe and Maraba quarries. Green amethysts are also mined in Mexico, Switzerland, African countries and Madagascar.
Uruguay. The Uruguayan amethyst deposit is recognized as even more unique – the only place on the planet with deposits of black quartz decorated with barely noticeable thorns. Expensive deep purple amethysts (natural ink amethysts) are also mined here, which, due to the highest quality, do not require serious jewelry processing. A characteristic feature of Uruguayan amethysts is the burgundy reflections of the stone.
Zambia. The birthplace of bright lilac-pink placers is Zambia. There are also cheap yellow and very rare and valuable green amethysts of an unusual ash-green hue. The characteristic of black Zambian amethysts is their transparency, brightness and richness of color with a pink tint.
Amethysts are mined on almost all continents, but the most beautiful amethyst crystals are found in these deposits. By the way, it was the oval cushion-cut Zambian amethyst that the Damiani jewelry brand chose for its legendary engagement ring, and for good reason. Why? Read on!
Famous amethyst jewelry
A huge amethyst ring was on the hand of Queen Cleopatra. There is a belief that it was this ring that helped the legendary beauty win the hearts of two prominent men of her time – Julius Caesar and Marcus Aurelius. Ladies, if you want to check Cleopatra’s recipe – a huge catalog of 3 Carat jewelry with amethysts is at your service!:)
And the grandmother of Elizabeth II, the British Queen Mary, was so taken by the amethyst shine that she ordered the craftsmen to create a full-length parure consisting of a necklace, a ring, a huge brooch and a beautiful tiara. The parure of the Norwegian royal court, beloved by the current Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is also decorated with amethysts.
Ametrine – double natural brilliance of quartz
The stone, which combines the splendor of citrine and amethyst, received a compromise name ametrine.
This is the only polychrome variety of semi-precious quartz, which attracts jewelers with both its durability and rich palette of colors.
Ametrines come in a variety of shades – violet, amber, yellowish-peach, dark purple. Their structure is no less diverse: gems can even contain six bright sectors, where three amethyst and citrine inserts are elegantly combined.
Most often, jewelers give combined ametrine quartz a baguette cut or an emphatically strict rectangular shape, and it is in this form that the doublet reveals itself in the best way, although you can find more daring experiments that help create a special play of different gems inside a single stone.
How to recognize fake amethysts?
The amethyst gemstone is very rarely perfectly clear, and especially transparent. Natural analogues are most often slightly cloudy, which makes them different from impeccably bright transparent artificial crystals. You can check the authenticity of samples using water. Natural: the edges will become a little lighter when immersed in liquid, artificial: will not change color – we conducted this experiment at 3 Karat in the video, see below. A natural mineral contains small cracks, gas bubbles, and liquid inclusions that are visible under a magnifying glass, while an artificial one is always homogeneous and resembles glass.
Amethyst for Zodiac signs: magical and energetic properties
The mystical properties of the stone are determined by its color and the metal used to create the jewelry. It is believed that purple, green, and black minerals miraculously relieve anger, anger, and alcohol addiction. A crystal set in gold becomes a symbol of success, valor, and inner harmony, and the mineral in silver is a real magician for women who want to experience the happiness of motherhood.
Delicate pink amethyst will help with everything related to romantic feelings, for example, it is ideal for engagement. Green quartz is considered a powerful talisman of purity and devotion.
Amethysts are favored by the stars, without setting strict restrictions. The stone is especially favorable for Aries, Sagittarius , as well as the zodiac signs of the water element: Pisces и Rakov , but still traditionally this stone is classified as an Air sign. Aquarius , it is suggested that people can benefit from amethyst, as this stone is associated with intuition, spiritual development and strengthening the nervous system. Gemini can enjoy the energy of amethyst, which is said to help reduce stress and improve mental health.
Amethyst can also be useful for weights , because it is considered a stone of harmony, which helps create balance and improve the quality of relationships. The energy of this quartz is so powerful that it contributes to the fulfillment of the most incredible desires.
Author: Natalia Slyusar © Online store “3 Karat”
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