Amethyst is the purple or violet variety of quartz and is a popular gemstone. For mineral collectors interested in fine mineral specimens, amethyst is popular for its lovely crystal shapes and its striking purple, sparkling color. Because it has a hardness of seven, amethyst is suitable for use in jewelry.
History
11" Royal Purple AMETHYST Crystal-Lined GEODE-Uruguay
The color purple is traditionally the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn monarchs and rulers. The name amethyst comes from the Greek “a-µe-stos” which means “not drunk”. This may have come from a belief that amethyst would ward off the effects of alcohol; more likely the Greeks were referring to the red wine color of some stones. In Greek mythology, Dionysus, the god of intoxication, and wine, was pursuing a maiden named Amethystos, who refused his affections, and was transformed into a white stone. Dionysus poured wine over the stone as an offering, dyeing the crystals purple.
Extra-Large 4.8” AMETHYST Crystal Point-Bolivia
Later, Roman emperors had goblets made from amethyst in the belief that the cup would counteract any poison as well as keeping them from getting drunk. The ancients thought amethyst to be a different mineral from quartz. Some thought quartz was water that had been frozen so hard that it would never melt! The Bible mentions amethyst as one of the twelve stones in the breastplate of the High Priest and thus represented one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle, and to keep them cool-headed. Amethyst is the birthstone for those born in the month of February.
Mineralogy
3.3" Dark Purple SPIRIT AMETHYST Crystal Group-S.Africa
Amethyst is a variety of quartz (chemical formula SiO2). Varieties of quartz include clear quartz, citrine, etc. Its chemical composition, atomic structure and physical properties are identical to quartz: it has a hardness of 7, specific gravity of 2.65, etc.). Amethyst can occur as prismatic crystals with six sided shafts and pyramidal terminations, or it can form as druzes – crystalline crusts composed of just the pointed terminations (the crystals in these druzes can be as small as 1/8”, and as big as 6” or larger). Technically, the crystal structure is a different from other quartzes: the molecules are stratified into lamellae, causing variations in color intensity.
Color
5¾" Phantom AMETHYST SCEPTER Crystals-India
Amethyst can be found in a range of shades, from lilac to light pinkish violet to lavender, to a deep purple, and may also have “flashes” of red and blue. The color is the result of the presence of color centers (chromophores) in the molecular structure of the crystal. In amethyst, the chromophore is iron, in the form of dissolved iron in its ferric (Fe+3) state. Very little iron is needed to create amethyst: as little as ten, up to several hundred parts per million is all it takes. As an amethyst crystal grows, the ferric iron is incorporated into the crystal structure, substituting for Si or O in the molecular structure. Later, natural ionizing radiation in the ground strips an electron from the ferric iron atom, which activates the color center, resulting in the purple color. The intensity and color of the amethyst depends on how much iron is in the quartz crystal, and exactly where it is located in the atomic structure of the quartz. If heated, amethyst turns orange, yellow, or brown. Heat treated amethyst is frequently sold as citrine.
Gemstones
3¼" Polished Purple AMETHYST STALACTITE SLICE-Uruguay
Cut gems of amethyst are graded using the terms Siberian (high grade), Uruguayan (medium grade) or Bahain (low grade), regardless of the actual source. Because the color can be unevenly distributed, amethyst is often cut as brilliant round gemstones to maximize the color. Other cuts can be used when the color is better distributed. Because it is relatively inexpensive, amethyst is popular as a gem in jewelry.
Localities
There are thousands of localities in the world that have produced amethyst. Here is a list of some of the most noteworthy places where it has been found:
- Vera Cruz, Mexico: very pale, clear, prismatic crystals, sometimes with phantoms.
- Guerrero, Mexico: dark, deep purple, prismatic crystals that radiate outward from a common center.
- Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, Bahia, Brazil: crystals form in druzy crusts that line the inside of volcanic rock pockets or “vugs” up to 20 feet tall.
- Thunder Bay, Canada – this locality is noted for its unique crystals that have distinct red hematite inclusion just below the surface.
- Uruguay: crystals are dark to medium purple, formed in druzy crusts that line the inside of volcanic vugs that have a grayish exterior.
- Maine, USA – good amethyst has been found in recent years at several spots on Deer Hill in Stow, and also in Sweden,
- Ural Mountains, Russia: a very clear and dark variety that is cut for fine expensive gemstones, natural uncut clusters are rarely on the market.
We invite you to click here to visit the Treasure Mountain Mining amethyst gallery on our website, featuring a number of these very special gem crystals.
4" Extra-Purple AMETHYST STARBURST Large Crystals-Uruguay
