![]() Heat treatment can’t make pale amethyst darker, but it can lighten the color of very dark amethyst and make it more attractive. Heat treatment is the most common technique for improving the color and marketability of natural amethyst. Because this February birthstone is more susceptible to damage than harder gems such as rubies, sapphires and diamonds, you risk scratching your amethyst jewelry if you place it next to these harder stones. This means that it is appropriate for daily use in rings and other jewelry, but over time it may show wear and require repolishing. ![]() The Anahí mine is also famous in gem circles as the source of the unusual bicolored amethyst-citrine crystals called ametrine.Īmethyst is a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It was discovered by a Spanish conquistador in the 1600s, given to him as dowry when he married Anahí (a princess from the Ayoreo tribe), forgotten for three centuries, and rediscovered in the 1960s. Hidden in the Pantanal wetlands, the Anahí mine is shrouded in fascinating lore. The Anahí mine in Bolivia is another prominent source for amethyst. Amethyst from Brazil sometimes forms in hollow, crystal-lined geodes so large you can stand in them. Today, the most important sources of amethyst are in Africa and South America. Brazil is still a major supplier, especially its southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, though the rough amethyst mined there tends to have a lighter color than amethyst found in other countries. Once as rare as ruby or emerald, amethyst was suddenly in abundance. Russia was the major source of amethyst until the 19th century, when large deposits were found in Brazil. The famous jewelry connoisseur Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (1896–1986), made a memorable statement when she wore a lavish Cartier-designed amethyst bib necklace to a gala in Versailles in 1953. Wear it in celebration of your wedding nuptials or as your February birthstone and you’ll be in royal company: Catherine the Great (Empress Catherine II of Russia, 1729–1796) had a penchant for the gem and decked herself in amethyst necklaces, earrings and other ornaments. Renaissance Europeans thought it calmed lovers overrun by passion.Īmethyst is the gem traditionally given for the sixth wedding anniversary. Because of its wine-like color, early Greek mythology associated the gem with Bacchus, the god of wine. Amethyst was also believed to keep the wearer clear headed and quick witted in battle and business affairs. The name “ amethyst” derives from the Greek amethystos, which means “a remedy against drunkenness,” a benefit long ascribed to the purple birthstone. Studs – From dainty, small and classy studs to flower style and more, amethyst stud earrings will stand out and add a touch of elegance to any outfit.Comprehensive CAD/CAM For Jewelry Certificate Here’s a look at some beautiful jewelry styles with the lovely amethyst. It is lovely as a faceted stone, cabochon, tumbled stone, and many other stones for jewelry. Whether you value them for their spiritual properties or just their beauty, the amethyst’s beautiful coloration, its ability to work well with most jewelry styles, and its elegance make it a beautiful choice for just about any jewelry piece. Amethyst is also believed to dispel anger and fear, balance our moods and open up our intuitive capabilities. It is thought to attract spiritual energies and to activate spiritual awareness as well as bring peace of mind and relieve stress. A New-Age Stone TooĪmethyst doesn’t just have a connection to the past, however, it’s also an important new-age, healing stone. ![]() Because of their coloring, early Greek lore associated them with the god of wine, Bacchus, and believed that wearing an amethyst would prevent drunkenness. Its name is derived from the Greek term, “amethystos’, which means ‘not drunken’. The amethyst is even one of the emblems of the 12 apostles and bishops as well as British royalty often wear this beautiful gemstone. Amethyst can also be reddish, purple and when both amethyst and citrine are discovered in a quartz gemstone, you get ametrine, which comes in beautiful bands of yellow and purple.Īmethysts have a long and rich history and have been used in religious jewelry and royal crown jewels for ages. We often think of amethyst as a dark purple gem only, but amethysts actually occur in a range of colors from a barely perceptible light purple to a rich, dark, nearly opaque purple. Prior to the discovery of Brazil and Uruguay’s vast deposits, most commercially mined amethyst came from Russia and Siberia. Most amethysts are found in volcanic rocks with the largest deposits in Brazil and Uruguay, but there are deposits all over the world. ![]()
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