With the correct cutting, this pale lilac gemstone can display dramatic color changes from red to blue when viewed from different angles – a phenomenon called pleochroism.Īmethyst crystals are sensitive to sunlight, if they are exposed for too long a period the color can fade considerable and this cannot be reversed. Rose de France is found mostly in Brazil but healthy deposits have been located in other parts of South America such as Bolivia and in Zambia in Africa.
Unfortunately the mines of Siberia have been exhausted so now Siberian Amethyst only refers to the color not the source.Īnother popular color is Rose de France, a pale rose or light lilac colored stone with better examples showing even color throughout. Siberia in Russia once produced the finest amethyst crystals in a particular rich purple color that was fired by red and blue flashes. Too deep a color can look black in dim lighting so this can diminish their value. The deeper colors are the most valuable with strong reddish purple or deep purple with no color variation throughout the stone the most popular. The color purple is associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, ambition, think of those kings and nobles wrapped in long purple robes and the religious leaders and buildings draped in purple decorations on their most holy occasions.Īmethyst is purple quartz, from lilacs with pink undertones and delicate lavenders all the way up to deep plums and raspberries with hints of red and blue and even some rich brown versions. It owes its vibrant color to the presence of iron or manganese (sometimes both) when forming in fissures within igneous rocks from nearly all parts of the globe. Not long ago, amethyst were part of the five cardinal gems considered the most valuable, diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire being the other four.Īmethyst is a semi precious gemstone which is hard enough to be used in a variety of jewelry pieces and its availability in large sizes means it can be used for some stunning ornate carvings. In the crystal kingdom, Amethyst is the eye-catching purple or violet regent which is by far the most popular and valuable form of quartz in the world today.
Amethyst's name comes from the Greek word 'amethystos' meaning not intoxicating as in ancient times it was thought that the crystal would prevent you from getting drunk!
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