You may have heard of the mineral quartz, which is white. Here we take a tour through its purple color variant - which is called amethyst. Amethyst is a gemstone known as much for its enchanting beauty as it is for its spiritual and healing properties.
What color is amethyst?
If we are going to dive deeper into the color of the amethyst, it is not just possible to call it "purple". The palette ranges from delicate lavender tones to intense royal purples.
The most sought-after gemstones have a rich, velvety deep purple hue that exudes elegance. The depth of the color can vary depending on the source and the amount of iron impurities in the stone.
How much does amethyst cost?
It varies greatly depending on several factors, such as clarity, intensity of color, carat weight and cut. Thus, on that level, it does not differ that much from other precious stones.
There are some saturated stones that are relatively affordable, while deeply nuanced amethysts of exceptional quality command a higher price – not least those that are brilliantly cut and clear.
What does amethyst symbolize?
This enchanting gemstone has had various meanings throughout history, but often revolved around spirituality. Amethyst is said to promote a kind of emotional balance, inner peace and spiritual wisdom. It brings clarity to the mind, and in ancient times it was said to keep drunkenness away to make way for sobriety.
Amethyst is connected to the so-called third eye and is believed to enhance your intuition and promote a kind of spiritual awareness. In addition, it is said to relieve stress, give you calming energy and protect against negative energy.
How do you know it is a genuine amethyst?
Knowing whether an amethyst is genuine can be difficult, but one thing to highlight is whether the color distribution is consistent, with natural inclusions and color zones that gossip about its authenticity. Refractive index and weight measurements can also be taken into account through professional testing.
Did you know that…
If you have friends whose birthday is in February, amethyst can be a nice gift. Namely, it is considered the birthstone for that month.
If we are talking "finest amethysts in the world", Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia are said to produce some of the absolute finest.
