Amethyst, with its captivating violet hues, from lilac to deep purple with red tones and everything in between, has long been cherished for both its stunning beauty and rich history. This gemstone, a member of the quartz mineral family, has been admired since ancient times for its striking color and believed metaphysical properties. From being a symbol of royalty and spirituality to its use as a protective stone, amethyst continues to inspire. Here are 3 Top Tips and 3 More Fun Facts all about Amethyst!
llyn strong fine art jewelry is located in Greenville, SC, and specializes in creating custom-made fine art jewelry. Browse our online inventory of fine art jewelry. Contact us today at 864-233-5900 or visit our storefront at 1322 E Washington St Suite C1, Greenville, SC 29607. Let us help you reimagine, re-think and re-invent your jewelry collection!
1. Birthstone for February
As a jewelry designer and goldsmith for over 40 years, amethysts have always held a special place in my heart. It is the predominant February birthstone. My mother, my daughter and her father were all born in the month of February as well as my best friend and my first grandnephew. WOW! What a lot of amethyst babies! It is also the gem for the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries. At one time in ancient history, amethyst was associated with the tears of Bacchus, the god of wine and was thought to provide clarity and sobriety. It was believed to prevent intoxication – “amethystos” means “not drunk” in ancient Greek. There is also an alternate birthstone for February, Bloodstone, which is an opaque green with red spots on it – not nearly as beautiful and appealing in my opinion.
2. Value – Origins – Care
Just like many other gemstones, the value of amethyst is dependent on size, color, cut, quality and clarity. The darker reddish-purple colors of this stone are considered the most valuable, although designer cuts in the lighter lilac colors have become more appreciated in later years. Today, amethysts are a very affordable stone, but until the 19th Century, many amethysts were as expensive as an emerald or a ruby of the same quality. What reduced the price of this beautiful stone was the discovery of large deposits in Brazil. Even though it is the rarest member of the quartz family, deposits occur all over the world. Brazil is still the most significant producer of amethyst; it is mined in neighboring Uruguay, across the Atlantic in Zambia, as far north as Russia, and even in central and North America. The largest mine in North America is found in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Most of your darker hues have been heat-treated to enhance or even out the color of the stone. It is an acceptable stone treatment in the industry and is permanent and does not fade.
Amethyst jewelry can be worn every day, as it rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is a very easy stone to care for and demands little attention besides keeping it clean and sparkly (as you should do with all your jewelry). To clean your amethyst jewelry at home, let the piece soak in a solution of warm water and a gentle dish detergent solution, then use a soft brush to clean the stone and around the mounting. Amethysts should be cleaned often to avoid the buildup of cosmetics, body oils and dirt. Please feel free to always bring your jewelry into our store located at 1322 E. Washington St, Greenville, SC to have one of our professionals clean and check your jewelry to keep it at its best.
3. Selecting your Stone – Custom Designing your Jewelry
Beyond being a beautiful and affordable addition to your jewelry collection, amethysts are well suited for everyday wear. They are hard, available in larger sizes at lower prices, come in a wide range of violet hues, and many cutters are using amethysts for more unusual fantasy cutting designs. Druzy (which means field of crystals) quartz are often made up of small amethyst crystals and are another option. Once you have selected a stone that resonates with you, our designers and jewelers at llyn strong fine art jewelry can collaborate with you to create the perfect new addition to your jewelry collection. With our creativity and skill paired with your vision, together we can design a piece that reflects your style. Whether set in yellow, rose, or white gold, silver, or platinum, the amethyst’s timeless beauty makes it a stunning centerpiece for rings, necklaces, or bracelets. Please check out our custom jewelry page and let us help you design your next amethyst piece.
3 More Fun Facts (www.gia.edu)
St Valentine
The patron of romantic love wore an amethyst ring carved with the image of Cupid.
Camillo Leonardi
This astrologer wrote that amethyst quickens intelligence and gets rid of evil thoughts.
164 Pounds
Single amethyst crystals can be huge: the GIA Museum displayed a doubly terminated crystal that weighed 164 pounds.
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