Print this pageFebruary Birthstone - Amethyst
Amethyst is a popular gemstone and has been for many, many years. Ranging from light lilac tones to deep royal purples, amethyst is available in a wide range of prices and qualities. Even though relatively common and affordable, amethyst is used in fine jewelry, and worn by nobility.
Carved intaglios from amethyst have been unearthed at excavation sites of ancient cities. The kingdoms of Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and the Anglo-Saxon's were familiar with the material and used it in royal jewelry and other items. There are carvings in amethyst that exist today that are identified as from the Egyptian XII Dynasty, believed to be produced around 2000 B.C.E.
The name, from the Greek amethystos, translates roughly as "not drunken." This probably stems from the wine-like colors of the stone. Individual's drinking water from a carved amethyst chalice, where the water took on the color of 'wine' from the amethyst when viewed from the outside, would certainly have the upper hand over their wine-drinking companions. In addition to preserving or restoring sobriety, some individual's believe amethyst contains mystical properties, improving the intelligence of the wearer, particularly in matters of trade and business. Some say it has a calming effect on those overpowered by passion, as well as preserving soldiers from harm and assures success to soldiers and hunters. The wine-like appearance of the stone has contributed to its use as an ecclesiastical gem.
A legend about the stone's creation credits the god Bacchus for its color.
Bacchus issued a warning stating the next person he encountered would be devoured by his tigers. As luck would have it, this person was a beautiful maiden named Amethyst, on her way to the shrine of the goddess Diana. As the tigers pounced at Amethyst, Diana turned the maiden into a pillar of pure white stone, saving her from a worse fate. A remorseful Bacchus then poured his wine on the petrified body, giving it the color we know today. Most gemologists credit the color to the presence of iron, and to the interaction of iron and aluminum in this particular variety of quartz.
Amethyst occurs in transparent gem grades, as well as in more translucent material, which is used for carvings and beads. Major sources of amethyst are Brazil, Uruguay, and Namibia, followed by the United States and Russia to a lesser degree.
The color of amethyst ranges from a very light lilac to overly dark material. Prices generally are lower for very light or very dark material. The lighter material is often described as "Rose de France." Amethyst may have a strong secondary red or blue color component. Deep colored material with either red or blue flashes is sometimes referred to as "Siberian Amethyst." This generally is a color description, and does not imply that the material is actually from Siberia, although some of the Russian material does exhibit this desirable color.
Overly dark amethyst is sometimes heated to lighten the color. A variance in the intensity of the heat produces the yellow tones of citrine quartz, or green tones. When the material changes to the colors of citrine, it is sold and represented as citrine. When the material turns green, many suppliers sell it as green amethyst.
The green variety of quartz represented as green amethyst occurs naturally, but is most often produced by heating amethyst. The material is best described as prasiolite, although the name vermaine is also used sometimes. The material can range from a very pale green to deeper shades, and may be confused with peridot and tourmaline. The heat treatment of amethyst is undetectable in the finished yellow citrine and green prasiolite material.
While Ruby Lane and other online venues allow the material to be described as green amethyst, we encourage shop owners to include the word prasiolite in conjunction with the phrase. This will eliminate any possible confusion on the part of the customer and complaints about the use of what some gemologists consider an unacceptable misnomer, and will aid in online searches for your item. A search for "green Amethyst" or "prasiolite" will overlook an item using only the other term in a title or description.
Amethyst is imitated in glass, simulated stone, and in a true synthetic material. While glass can be easily detected by the trained eye in most cases, the simulated amethyst, which is normally synthetic corundum in an appropriate color, is harder to detect. The true synthetic material can only be separated from the natural material using rare and expensive detection methods. The presence of natural inclusions will help differentiate natural amethyst from glass and simulants, but may not always work with the true synthetic material. Amethyst may also be confused with iolite, purple sapphire, some tourmaline, and scapolite.
Amethyst was used in acrostic rings, such as "regard" rings. In these pieces, the first letter of the gemstone name represents a character in a word. A ring with a REGARD message might feature ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, and diamond. Amethyst is found in historical acrostic rings associated with the movement against the English corn taxes, which spelled out REPEAL.
During the Suffragette Movement, the color purple symbolized dignity, white meant purity, and green stood for hope. They were the official colors of the Women's Social and Political Union in England. Suffragist jewelry tends to feature amethyst, peridot, and either pearls or white enamel. These items, often exhibiting fine Victorian or Edwardian design and workmanship, are desirable as pieces of fine jewelry, as well as pieces of history.
In addition to its use as a February birthstone, amethyst is associated with the sign of Pisces and with 6 year anniversaries. There is also an association with Valentine's Day, and legend has it that St. Valentine wore a ring that featured an amethyst intaglio of Cupid.
It is normally safe to clean amethyst in an ultrasonic cleaning tank, but inclusions and certain aspects of crystal structure may endanger a stone cleaned in this manner. Steam cleaning should never used. Amethyst tends to fade when exposed to ultraviolet lighting for extended periods of time.
You will find a wide range of amethyst jewelry on Ruby Lane, from Georgian gold work to contemporary Artisan pieces. A large variety of prices and styles are available featuring amethyst in faceted, cabochon, carved, and bead forms.
Reprinted with permission from NOTES FROM THE LANE.
