February's birthstone: Amethyst

Heart shaped amethysts are the perfect gift for Valentines day...

For more than 3000 years, Amethyst has been the most valuable member of the quartz group. From ancient Egyptian royalty, this transparent purple variety of quartz has enjoyed an historical importance as an insignia of power. Fine amethysts are to this day present in the Crown Jewels of many royal houses throughout Europe. It is therefore not surprising then that when Church and State were almost as one, Amethyst was also a favourite stone in the high ranks of the Christian church, and was often referred to as "the stone of bishops". The name appears to have been derived from the Greek word "amethystos" which translates into "not drunken." Amethyst was considered up until recent times to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it and simple amethyst talismans we popular. The gemstone still symbolizes sobriety.

Amethyst is the birthstone for those who are born in February or for the Zodiac sign of Pisces.


Purchasing Amethyst
While fashions come and go the intense deep colours are still the most valuable, particularly a rich purple with rose / pink flashes. The "Siberian" deep purple with red and blue flash commands the highest prices, although rough of this variety is extremely hard to come by of late.  Dark African amethyst is very popular and sold on our website.

Amethyst 22x17 Cushion Chess Top, 33.44 carats
R 6,336.40



Lighting

Amethyst is a daylight stone; under artificial light the subtle flashed that infuse the stone with its fire are not well displayed. The true character of the stone is best viewed in the early morning or evening, when the light is soft and warm and the majesty of this regal gem are best displayed.

Green Amethyst 12x12 Cushion Checkerboard, 6.63carats
R 350.40



Clarity

A fine quality Amethyst is transparent, allowing the light to pass through the stone unhindered. Any translucency slightly weakens the passage of the light through the stone. The best quality Amethysts are "eye-clean", being free of visible inclusions of any kind. Since amethyst deposits are plentiful, there is little reason other than a price constraint to buy stones with visible inclusions.

Cut

Due to the presence of banding or zoning which delineates the distribution of colour in the crystals, Amethyst is often cut in round brilliants to maximize and even out colour. Other cuts such as the simple octagonal step cuts can be used when the colour is better distributed through out the stone. Amethyst is available in a wide range of calibrated sizes and shapes, including many fancy ones.

Amethyst 8x8 Square, 2.16 carats
R 157.68



Mineable Deposits

While the largest mineable deposits of today are in Brazil, namely the "Palmeira" Amethysts of Rio Grande do Sul and the "Maraba" Amethysts of Para. Other Amethyst deposits are found worldwide in such countries as Bolivia, Canada, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka, United States (Arizona), Uruguay and Zambia. Each deposit from continent to continent to a certain extent had an almost distinctive colour fingerprint. Making for example, African stones a distinctively different colour to say South American stones.

Common Amethyst Treatments

Heat treatment of 878-1382 degrees F (470-750 degrees C) results in light yellow, golden yellow, red-brown, green or colourless varieties of Amethyst being produced.  All amethyst on our website are heat treated.

Important & famous Amethysts

While the piece in question has long been lost in the sands of time, around 1300 B.C the bejeweled breastplate of Aaron, contained an Amethyst representing one of the 12 tribes (Dan) of Israel - Exodus 28:15-30