Amethyst

Amethyst

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. Its colour may be pale violet, deep purple, bluish or reddish, sometimes with zones of different saturation. Other gems and imitations can also be purple; a photograph alone cannot securely establish the material.

From historical jewellery to modern pieces

Amethyst has been used in religious jewellery and royal regalia. GIA also describes its ancient Greek association with the wine god Dionysus. This is cultural history, not evidence of a stone's effects or of the age of a particular jewel.

Quality and identification

Assess colour, clarity and cut together. A large stone is not automatically worth more per carat. Distinguishing natural from synthetic material may require gemmological examination. GIA notes that terms such as AAA are not a shared standardised quality scale for amethyst. Document the metal and stone separately: a 925 mark concerns silver content.

Condition and care

Amethyst has a Mohs hardness of 7, but can still be scratched or damaged. Intense light may fade some stones, and abrupt temperature changes can cause fractures. Avoid steam cleaning and heat. Lukewarm soapy water is normally suitable for the stone; check adhesives, setting and other materials first. On older pendants, document bail and setting wear separately. Browse OBA jewellery.

Sources

GIA: Amethyst Description; GIA: Amethyst History; GIA: Amethyst Buying Guide; GIA: Amethyst Care.