Amethyst is a crystalline quartz. The color ranges from purple, reddish purple, pale lilac.
Amethyst Hardness: 7 which means it is resistant to scratch.
Colors: Pale lilac to deep reddish purple. May have color zoning.
Crystallography: Hexagonal.
Watch video about Amethyst Crystal as February Birthstone
Amethyst is the most abundant crystal found in the Earth's Crust. Amethyst is type of Quartz Crystals. When certain impurities that can help in making amethyst, amethyst appears. Quartz is usually found in lining the insides of geodes. So one can see amethyst also inside geodes. Amethyst comes in transparent form also. According to mineralogist, amethyst color is appearing either because of iron oxide , manganese or hydrocarbons. When we heat the amethyst, it can turn into Citrine.
While hearing to 400 to 500 degrees Celsius that is 750 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, the color of Amethyst becomes brownish yellow to reddish orange. Sometime it can also turn into green which is called Prasiolite. Amethyst geode occurs when large crystals grew in open spaces inside the rock. Until 19th Century, Russia has been the main source of amethyst. After discovery of large deposits from Brazil, this position went to Brazil which is still holding the place in amethyst. Though Amethysts from Brazil tend to have light colour. Amethyst from Brazil forms in hollow some time like crystal lined geodes like the size of man or even more big. Source of Commercially produced Amethysts are : Zambia, Brazil and Uruguay and in USA places are in Arizona and North Carolina.
Amethyst recognition in the history is long back as far as 25,000 years ago in France. According to prehistoric stories of humans, amethyst has been used as decorative stone also. It has been found Neolithic man.
Peridot is beautiful Gemstone. It is a trade name of parrot green or yellowish green to vivid green gem variety of olivine (a forsterite-rich solid solution of the forsterite-fayalite isomorphic series). Learn Here.....
Amethyst Stone in Royal Families
Amethyst has been part of royal families in the history. Cleopatra is said to have been wearing signet ring that was engraved with Mithras figure. Which is a Persian deity symbolizing the Divine Idea, Source of Light and Life. Stone also has been found with Saint Valentine whose amethyst was engraved with his assistant Cupid figure. Valentine day is still celebrated every year. Until 19th century, the amethysts had been considered as expensive like precious stones i.e. emeralds, rubies, sapphires. After discovering large deposits of amethysts in Brazil, gemologists lowered the gems' financial value. Amethyst are often found in Art Deco and Retro eras in eye catching cocktail rings.
Duchess of Winder's Bib Style Amethyst Necklace
This is a Duchess of Windsor's bib style amethyst necklace. It had 28 step cut amethysts. One oval faceted amethyst with large Heart shaped amethyst at the bottom of necklace. Along with amethyst, turquoise cabochons with brilliant cut diamonds has been adjusted. The necklace has been binded with rope like gold chain. Courtesy: N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier
