Amethyst

Amethysts are a form of quartz crystal that gain their coloring from deposits of iron. Its purple hue has long made it a favorite of royalty the world over. Ranging in color from pale lilac to deep purple, amethyst is the birthstone for February as well as being one of the most common gems found in the Earth’s crust. Amethysts are found on every continent in varying amounts, and have been used as precious gems for thousands of years. Their rich coloration, durability and availability have made them popular favorites with people and cultures all over the world.

Learn more about the February birthstone

Amethyst buying guide

Amethyst varies in color from deep violet to pure, clear lavender. The most valuable amethysts are medium to dark tones, transparent and pure violet with no shading toward red or blue. Amethysts from Africa tend to be darker and smaller than South American amethysts, and the richer color intensity tends to make them more valuable. Since amethyst is so plentiful, you can expect to find affordable stones of excellent quality that are ‘eye clean’ – with no flaws visible to the naked eye.

Color is the major deciding factor in the value of amethyst with the deeper shades claiming the most value. Pale amethyst, often called Rose de France, are less expensive but make beautiful jewelry in the right settings and cuts. Because amethyst is so plentiful, it’s also a popular stone for jewelers and gem cutters to experiment with. This means that you’ll find more fanciful shapes and cuts of amethyst than you will of more precious and rare stones where the cutters are more concerned with conserving as much of the stone’s original weight as possible.

Amethyst care

Amethyst is rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the harder gems. It’s also quite durable, and doesn’t chip or split easily.

Everyday caution

Remove gemstone jewelry when you’re going to be doing work or exercise, or when you’re doing dishes and housework. Avoid exposing your amethyst to household cleaners, particularly bleach which can seriously damage the stone.

Storing amethyst jewelry

Amethyst is susceptible to heat and sunlight, both of which will lighten the color and may even make it a muddy brown. Because of this, you should avoid leaving amethyst in direct sunlight for any length of time, and any jewelry repairs that use heat should be done with the stone removed from the setting. A jewelry box is a good investment – but it’s important to remember that gemstones CAN damage each other and your other jewelry. Keep amethyst jewelry wrapped in its own cloth to avoid damage.

Cleaning amethyst jewelry

You can clean your amethyst jewelry with a soft bristle brush and warm water, but avoid harsh chemicals which may damage the stone. Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used to clean amethyst jewelry as they may damage the gem.