Amethysts – the Gemstone for Royalty
Throughout history, the color purple has been associated with royalty. So it is no surprise that amethyst has been a popular gemstone with royalty the world over. Its color and beauty are without rival, and our love affair with amethyst silver pendants and other fashion jewelry continues. There are amethysts in the British Crown Jewels today. They were popular with Catherine the Great, and a favorite of Egyptian queens and royals as well. Amethysts have been the stone of choice for jewelry pieces like silver pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bangles and many other pieces of beautiful and affordable fashion jewelry. One Egyptian royal had their mummy covered in amethyst, signifying the importance of this gemstone in ancient Egyptian society. Several lesser royals were buried along with amethyst jewelry and objects. Most of the gemstones in ancient Egypt were obtained from miles in and around Aswan. The word “amethyst” has its origins in the Greek language. There is some dispute whether the word comes from ‘Amethuskein’ or ‘Amesthystos’. Both words roughly translate to ‘not intoxicated’, leading to the legend that amethyst can protect an cure one from drunkenness!
Amethyst is a crystalline variety of silicon dioxide or quartz, and is one of the most valuable forms of quartz. Quartz is generally transparent and almost colorless. However, impurities such as manganese and iron give amethyst its characteristic colors. Manganese in particular is responsible for the purple color of amethyst. Amethysts can be found in a range of shades of purple and lavender. In general, the deep purple color stones are more expensive than the lighter colored specimens. The gemstones can have defects in colors. These defects can occur naturally, or can be induced through heat and irradiation treatments. On rare occasions, the same stone can have two different materials – amethyst at one end, and a yellow citrine at the other. The characteristics of the stone can often be tied to the locality where it is found. Amethyst rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. This gemstone can be found as long crystals with a six-sided pyramid at one end.
South America and Africa are the largest producers of amethysts today. Brazilian specimens are typically quite large, but of poor to moderate color. Overall, African stones are of poorer quality than specimens from South America. In Canada, amethysts are found around Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Digby, Nova Scotia. Sources in the US include Maine, Pennsylvania and North Carolina to Montana and Colorado.
About the Author
Dale is a geo-professional in the Southwestern United States, and an avid and amateur gemmologist and a silver jewelry buff.
Lavender Jade and Amethyst Sterling Silver Enhancer Pend…
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SWAROVSKI SWAN SIGNED NECKLACE CHOKER LARGE AMETHYST CRYSTAL STONE SETTING $113.29 |
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LARGE!GOLD PLATED LIGHT PURPLE AMETHYST AND CLEAR STONES POLKI SET $59.99 |
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A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #MGGG3Z55 $19.99 |
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Vintage Wire Work Large Amethyst Stone W/ Teardrop Enamel Necklace $24.95 |
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30.01 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #33APDD22 $19.99 |
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30.02 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #A4HAPDD $24.99 |
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28.59 Ct. LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for a ring or pendant #9ZRZFA $24.99 |
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LARGE AMETHYST PYRAMID SHAPED AMETHYST STONE $3.99 |
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Older Large STERLING PENDANT with FACETED AMETHYST Colored Stone $1.90 |
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1 Large BANDED AMETHYST TUMBLED STONE CRYSTAL HEALING REIKI MEDITATION RELAXING $0.99 |
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18K Yellow Gold Large Amethyst Stone Ladies Ring Heavy $599.00 |
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AMAZING LRG AMETHYST COLOR STONE AB CRYSTALS GOLDTONE PIN SIGNED AVANTE~G185 $23.99 |
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Cute Large Stone Purple Amethyst Pendant for Ladies Rose Gold Filled $0.99 |
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5 max stones created pink sapphire citrine amethyst YGP eternity ring L 6 $12.63 |
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Large Cape Amethyst Nugget Pendant Bead 9327* $1.50 |
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A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst A BIG GEM STONE for a ring or pendant #4TV888V21 $13.99 |
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30.08 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #99HAPDD $20.99 |
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63.43 Ct. LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring or pendant #9ZRZFAZ22 $67.49 |
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A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #MGS3SD3D $19.99 |
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30.06 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #AHAPZ8 $20.99 |
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28.22 Ct. LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #3J5L7QZ77 $24.99 |
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27.06 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #S1SA11ZPIP $19.99 |
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STUNNING! SILVER EARRINGS WITH LARGE PERIDOT STONES $9.99 |
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BOXED GIFT Sterling Silver & Amethyst Stone Ring sz L $18.95 |
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Antique Bass/Bronze Picture frame Set with Amethyst Stones, Large Size $750.00 |
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Large amethyst quartz Gem Stone Christmas tree reiki best offer $58.98 |
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STUNNING! SILVER EARRINGS WITH WHITE FIRE OPAL AND LARGE ONYX STONES $8.99 |
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STUNNING! SILVER EARRINGS WITH WHITE FIRE OPAL AND LARGE ONYX STONES $8.99 |
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Large amethyst quartz Gem Stone Christmas tree reiki best offer $14.44 |
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Large amethyst quartz Gem Stone Christmas tree reiki best offer $58.00 |
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30.14 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #L5L2XZPIP $19.99 |
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A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #MGS3SSS1 $9.99 |
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27.14Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #S1S4A11SS33 $9.99 |
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30.55 Ct. LARGE NATURAL Amethyst Big GEM STONE for ring or Pendant #HHRR1K22 $24.99 |
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27.04 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #PZ82XZPIP $20.99 |
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LARGE SOLID 9K WHITE GOLD AMETHYST 9 STONE CLUSTER RING $469.00 |
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Amethyst Bracelet .925 Silver ~3 Large Faceted Stones 2 Strand Unique ~ Elegant $78.00 |
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VINTAGE STERLING SILVER RING with LARGE AMETHYST STONE SIZE 8 $19.99 |
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Cute Large Stone Purple Amethyst Silver Pendant for Ladies $0.96 |
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WONDERFUL YELLOW GOLD AMETHYST RING! LARGE STONE $199.99 |
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8 LARGE GENUINE PRASIOLITE GREEN AMETHYST FACTED MARQUISE BEADS 10-12MM J5 $9.99 |
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VINTAGE LARGE SILVERTONE AMETHYST COLORED STONE RING SIZE 4 TO 6 $5.99 |
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A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst A BIG GEM STONE for a ring or pendant #4TG3JJD44SS $9.99 |
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27.18Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #FF34A11SS33 $24.99 |
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A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst A BIG GEM STONE for a ring or pendant #4TFFF44 $24.99 |
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NICE LARGE AMETHYST GEM STONE SPECIMEN 1402 GRAMS OR 3.090 POUND’S. $99.99 |
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18K G E Ring With Amethyst Stone-Large Size-Very Fancy-Nice $14.99 |
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182 Cts, –AAA– 9” Strand LARGE Pink Amethyst Faceted Onion Briolettes 7-9.5mm $67.80 |
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366 Cts, –AAA– 9” Strand LARGE Pink Amethyst Faceted Onion Briolettes 15-10mm $136.18 |
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353 Cts, –AAA– 9” Strand LARGE Pink Amethyst Faceted Onion Briolettes 14-10mm $137.99 |
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349 Cts, –AAA– 9” Strand LARGE Pink Amethyst Faceted Onion Briolettes 14-10mm $129.86 |
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375 Cts, –AAA– 9” Strand LARGE Pink Amethyst Faceted Onion Briolettes 14-10mm $139.53 |
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202 Cts, –AAA– 9” Strand LARGE Pink Amethyst Faceted Onion Briolettes 10-7mm $75.16 |
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244 Cts, 8” African Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 16-11mm $68.00 |
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245 Cts, 8” Royal African Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 14-12mm $68.37 |
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345 Cts, 8” Royal African Dark Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 17-12mm $96.27 |
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269 Cts, 8” Royal African Dark Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 14-11mm $75.00 |
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306 Cts, 8” Royal African Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 16-12mm $85.39 |
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222 Cts, 8” African Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 14-11mm $61.95 |
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296 Cts, 8” African Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 16-12mm $85.99 |
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257 Cts, 8” Royal African Dark Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 12-13mm $71.72 |
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306 Cts, 8” Royal African Purple Amethyst Faceted Large Tear Drops 12-16mm $85.39 |
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385 Cts –Large –Finest –Green Amethyst Faceted Tear Drops –Size 13-7mm $75.88 |
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Natural Amethyst Large (12mm) Polished Gemstone Chip Nugget Beads 16″ NG1254f $9.01 |
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8 LARGE GENUINE PRASIOLITE GREEN AMETHYST FACTED MARQUISE BEADS 10-12MM J5 $9.99 |
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79.15Ct LARGE RARE! SWEET PURPLE! AMETHYST NATURAL STONE ROUGH GEMS. UNHEATED $0.99 |
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31.65 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #MG3GPDD $19.99 |
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30.16 Ct. A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #ZZ42XZPIP $19.99 |
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A LARGE Beautiful Amethyst BIG GEM STONE for ring, pendant #MGYYD44D $9.99 |
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ART DECO LARGE AMETHYST CLEAR STONE PIN BROOCH 38 X 50 MM $135.00 |