Known for its nearly sinful beauty, the amethyst never fails to complete a sensual look. And while this stone is a favorite of many, very few know how it is formed.
If you find yourself intrigued by this topic, then we highly encourage you to keep reading…
What is Amethyst?
To put it simply, amethyst is one of the most desired semi-precious gemstones available in the world. Depending on the amount of iron and aluminum present within its chemical structure, this jewel can be found in a variety of shades ranging from lilac to dark reddish-purple. And while each variation is equally beautiful, amethysts with an intense purple hue are the most valued today.
Being a member of the quartz family, this gem is easily found all over the world which has resulted in its relatively affordable price tag. In addition to that, this stone is also considerably durable with a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness and zero gemstone cleavage. This means that while the amethyst is not immune to damage, it can still be flaunted through a variety of jewelry and can be worn often too.
How Is the Amethyst Formed?
As touched upon before, this gemstone is a variety of quartz and is made up of silicon dioxide. It can be found in the inner walls of geodes, which are also known as hollowed rocks.
During volcanic eruptions, several gas bubbles form deep within the liquid lava and slowly rise to the surface as the temperature changes. These gas bubbles get locked in place when the lava cools down and creates vesicles or cavities within the rock. Over time, these cavities get filled with silica-rich liquid containing traces of iron and aluminum, which eventually crystallize and give birth to the amethyst.
Where Can You Find This Gem?
The amethysts are currently sourced from several countries across the world. Some of these include Brazil, Mexico, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Canada, and the United States of America. As with all gems, the type and shade of the amethyst greatly vary based on the location from which it is mined. As of today, the world’s best amethysts are believed to be sourced from Brazil and Uruguay.
Are They Treated?
Yes, they are!
For the most part, these gemstones are heat-treated to improve their clarity and color. The majority of the amethysts found in the market today are synthetically enhanced to intensify the stone’s hue. This is primarily done to meet the growing demand for intense purple amethysts. During this process, the stone is exposed to different temperatures between 400-500 degrees Celsius at regular intervals until they achieve the desired, rich shade.
Heat treatment is considered to be stable and its results tend to last for a long time, provided the gem is handled with care.
Important Note: While most amethysts are eye-clean, in rare cases these crystals may have to undergo fracture-filling treatments to close their surface-reaching fractures and improve the overall clarity.
At the end of the day, there is something undeniably enigmatic about the amethyst. And the above-mentioned information about its formation just adds to the intrigue.
Also Read: How Are Pearls Formed?
