Different Types of Amethyst Gemstones

If you love the vivid amethyst gemstone, then you must know about the different types of amethysts.

Amethyst gemstones are the most sought-after form of quartz, highly desired for their splendorous hue. This precious gem comes in various colors, from light lilac to vivid purple. Amethyst gemstones get their splendid hues from the presence of iron and aluminum impurities.

What Is Natural Gemstone?

So, where did amethysts get their unique name from? Well, it’s derived from the Greek word amethystos, which means “not drunk.” It is thought to counteract the negative effects of drinking and encourage sobriety for whom so ever chooses to wear it.

Amethyst gemstones are referred to as the “lover’s jewel” and are traditionally given as gifts on the 6th and 17th marriage anniversaries. They are believed to help keep the marriage strong and bring the couple closer together.

Where Are Different Types of Amethysts Found?

Amethyst gemstones can be found in South America, Brazil, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Africa, Australia and India. The darkest-colored Amethyst can be found in Australia, while the rich purple ones come from mines in Africa. Gems from different regions may have somewhat different hues, but their chemical makeup is always the same.

Various Types of Amethysts and Their History

The oldest amethyst jewelry pieces have been dated all the way back to 2000 BC. Ancient Greeks wore amethysts while drinking and believed it would prevent them from getting intoxicated. Amethyst gemstones were particularly prized for their regal color and magical abilities, making them a powerful emblem of authority. From ancient Egyptian pharaohs to modern British rulers, amethysts were frequently worn as pieces of jewelry. Even the Christian church held it in the highest regard and that’s how it earned the nickname “the stone of bishops.” According to certain historical accounts, Saint Valentine wore an amethyst ring adorned with a carving of cupid.

Amethyst gemstones can form in various geological settings, including extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks, metamorphosed rocks (particularly in alpine-type fissures), hydrothermal veins, rocks deposited by hot springs and even certain sedimentary rocks. To crystalize, all amethyst needs are silica-enriched water at temperatures between 50 and 250 degrees Celsius, a trace amount of ferric iron (Fe3+) and gamma radiation in a deposition-friendly environment. All these factors affect the final amethyst that gets created and the changes in their composition result in a wide variety of amethyst gemstones.

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Classic Amethyst and Diamond Three Stone...

1. Purple Amethyst

When you think of an amethyst gemstone, the first thing that comes to mind is the color purple. While purple amethyst is the most popular among other amethyst gemstones, they also come in many lesser-known colors that may surprise you.

Coming back to purple amethysts, the purple hue of amethyst can range from delicate lavender to deep, strong royal purple. Its purple hue might be cool and blue, or it can be a reddish purple that is frequently called “raspberry.” The color purple has long been associated with royalty and this gemstone does the high-status justice. It gets its color from irradiation, iron impurities and some other trace elements. This amethyst type surely tops the purple gemstones list and will reign as the most desired for centuries to come.

2. Brandberg Amethyst

Brandberg amethyst is a special kind of amethyst that can only be found in Namibia. They are an extraordinary blend of very light to very deep purple with the most eye-catching skeleton growths. This quartz variety comes with bits of Smoky and Clear Quartz mixed in and occasionally even with specks of scarlet and silver Hematite. There is a wide range of crystals, from those that are entirely amethyst to those that include traces of green, blue and purple weaved throughout the crystal, such as amethyst in clear quartz.

3. Auralite Amethyst

The Auralite amethyst gemstone is a rare and stunning kind of amethyst found solely in Canada. It is made of 23 possible distinct minerals and is thought to be roughly 1.2 billion years old. Still, every piece of Auralite often includes anywhere from two to seven distinct minerals. Since amethyst is the primary component of Auralite-23, the majority of this material seems to be a deep purple. However, Red Tip Auralites are the most in-demand kind.

4. Green Amethyst

Green amethyst is known by many names, such as Vermarine Lime Citrine, Green Quartz Stone, Mint Quartz, Prasiolite and Amegreen. You must be wondering how it got its green color which is so distinctly different from its iconic purple. The green hue is a result of silicon dioxide present in the quartz. Due to its distinctive beauty and uncommon mineral composition, Green amethyst’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. Green is nature’s color and symbolizes growth, pride and overall health. Those who choose to wear green amethyst gemstones will see that it helps calm them down and relieve tension. Green amethyst pendants are a great choice because they allow the crystal to be worn near the heart.

5. Pink Amethyst

Pink amethyst gemstones are the pink variation of Amethyst newly uncovered in Patagonia, Argentina. While pink amethyst exists may not seem as shocking to hear as green ones, how it gets its color is really intriguing. Its dusty rose color results from hematite entering the gemstone during the crystallization process. Its color palette ranges from pale, delicate tones to deep peach-pink hues. Pink Amethysts are much more highly coveted than others, as they have only ever been found in one location.

Pink amethyst gemstones are connected to the heart charka and help in emotional healing. For this reason, it has been termed the “band-aid” for the heart.

6. Chevron Amethyst

Natural amethyst and White Quartz with a banded or “V” pattern are called Chevron amethyst or sometimes ‘dog tooth amethyst. The name comes from a “line in the shape of a V,” which is how the shape is typically represented. The only known places for this amethyst variation are in India, Russia and Brazil, where it is found in the form of massive crystals. Pendulums, buddhas, eggs, palm stones and animals are just some of the many souvenirs that may be fashioned from this material. Because of its contrasting hues and inclusion of White Quartz, this combination stone is in high demand.

7. Ametrine

Ametrine is an exquisite bi-colored quartz crystal, displaying a blend of purple and golden hues in a single stunning gem. The gem is a mixture of two gemstones and so is its name. The prefixes ame- and citrine- refer to purple amethyst and golden citrine. This gemstone is also quite heavy on the pocket because it is so rare. Ametrine’s only source is the Anahi mine in Bolivia. It is the only one that contains two distinct hues in a single gem.

8. Moss Amethyst

Beautiful in its own right, Moss amethyst is a delicately purple variety of the popular gemstone amethyst. The small inclusions of rutile present in them are called Moss.

Moss Amethyst, despite its name, does not contain any organic materials and is often created from worn volcanic rocks. Moss amethyst gemstones are found in both dark and light colors and they contain tiny veins that run throughout the gem. Brazil and Sri Lanka are both home to moss amethyst.

9. Cape Amethyst

Cape amethyst is a gorgeous mixture of purple and white. It consists of layers or stripes of milky quartz and a pastel purple that stands out in all marble jewelry. Cape amethyst beads are usually translucent and range from light to medium purple. Since most of them are made naturally, each bead will have a different pattern from one another.

Different Types of Amethyst: Based on the Four Cs

Despite the lack of a universally accepted grading system, amethysts can be broken down into the following quality levels depending on their individual attributes.

1. Heirloom (AAAA)

Only the finest one percent of all amethyst is considered heirloom quality. They are exceptionally hard to find and have no flaws that can be seen. They have a velvety royal violet hue.

2. Best (AAA)

This grade represents the top ten percent of all amethyst mined. They are dark purple and lack any visible flaws that the naked eye can see.

3. Better (AA)

This category has some of the more reasonably priced amethyst available. You’ll find the best 33 percent of all amethyst in this grade. A few small imperfections can be seen and the color is noticeably less intense than intense compared to the ones found in the heirloom grade.

4. Good (A)

In this grade, you’ll find the most cost-effective amethysts, all of which are in the top 75% by quality. These gemstones may have minor to moderate imperfections that detract from their beauty.

Amethyst Colors

The purple luster of the amethyst is remarkable. This gemstone comes in a wide range of colors, from light lilac to dark reddish purple. However, the latter is more highly valued. A high-quality amethyst gemstone will have a uniform purple hue. Its value is substantially increased by the absence of any noticeable color zoning.

Amethyst Clarity

There are some exceptions, but most modern faceted amethyst gemstones are entirely devoid of inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye. Minor inclusions are sometimes disregarded when the Amethyst has a deep color and is otherwise of great quality. The most expensive varieties of this gem have brilliant clarity, whereas pale or pastel Amethysts with apparent inclusions are more affordable.

Amethyst Cut

Pear, emerald-cut, square, trillion, cabochon, round, oval, cushion and heart cuts are some of the most popular for amethysts, while many other forms are possible. This gemstone can also be machine-cut or designed by skilled artisans into a wide variety of freeform shapes. These unique cuts of amethyst result in rare and pricey one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Amethyst Carat

Because Amethysts are so widely available, even in enormous sizes, their worth is not determined solely by their carat weight. Instead, the color greatly affects the stone’s value.

Amethyst Cost

The price usually depends on the type of Amethyst and its color. Unlike other gemstones, the cost of Amethysts doesn’t mainly increase with size, as finding an Amethyst gemstone in larger sizes is not a problem. A darker and rich uniform color will usually fetch a higher price than pastel light colors. Typically for Amethyst, the craftsmanship that goes into faceting the gemstone takes up a larger chunk of the price.

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Amethyst Pisces Constellation Medallion Pendant

Astrological Benefits

When it comes to the amethyst benefits of the astrological kind, there are many. Let’s take a look at this in greater detail.

Amethyst is the birthstone for those born in February who share the Pisces zodiac sign. The astrological benefits of amethyst gemstone enable the wearer to experience dramatic shifts in fortune. The wearer will experience rapid financial success and fulfilling relationships.
Incorporating an amethyst gemstone into one’s jewelry collection is a great way to activate the spiritual crown chakra and the mental third-eye chakra. One’s spirituality, intuitive strength and capacity for deep contemplation can improve.
In addition to its beauty, the amethyst gemstone also provides a number of health benefits. It is thought that by using amethyst, the wearer will no longer suffer from issues like headaches, sadness, grief, despair, or sleeplessness.
Some people believe that acne may be cured by rubbing a damp amethyst on the affected area.
Amethyst is also a powerful stone for self-esteem and wearing it can banish any feelings of inadequacy.

How to Care For Your Amethyst Jewelry

With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale and a high degree of durability, amethyst is an excellent choice for any piece of jewelry. This makes them not so easily damaged by things like scuffs and scrapes, as well as cracks. However, if worn regularly and with care, these gemstones will retain their luster indefinitely. So, let’s take a look at how to take care of amethyst bracelets, rings, and other jewelry.

Keep your amethyst jewelry organized in velvet-lined boxes or pouches. This will help prevent your jewelry from rubbing against one another.
Keep out of direct sunlight for long periods of time or the color will fade.
If you must wear your amethyst jewelry regularly, do so only while you are not doing housework, as it may get dirty. Take off your amethyst jewelry before gardening, moving furniture, or engaging in other activities where there is a potential it might get damaged.
To keep the gemstone’s luster intact, you should protect it from any accidental drops or knocks.
Keep harsh chemicals such as acids, makeup and lotions away, as they can affect the amethyst’s shine.

How to Clean Amethyst Jewelry

This magnificent jewel has to be cleaned carefully because it is very delicate and harmful chemicals can affect its shine. So, to answer how to clean amethyst bracelets, necklaces or rings safely? Cleaning your amethyst jewelry at home is pretty simple. Just follow these steps:

To remove all the dust, soak your amethyst jewelry in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes. Check if the water is not too hot and just slightly warm to the touch. Also, make sure you use mild dish soap, not any harsh chemicals.
The use of a blow dryer can harm the gemstone because of heat. Instead, let it air-dry or carefully dry the stone off by dabbing it with a soft, clean towel or microfiber cloth.
To reach the tiny nooks and crannies of your amethyst jewelry, you can use a Q-tip and gently rub on those areas to remove any dirt.
In addition, you can always have your amethyst professionally cleaned or repolished to restore it to its previous splendor. There’s no reason to fret. The weight of the gemstone won’t change after repolishing. It’s best to get your amethyst jewelry cleaned professionally once a year.
The use of ultrasonic cleaning should be avoided since the stress from the sound waves used in this procedure can seriously harm your amethyst jewelry.

Final Word

It’s no secret that the rare and beautiful amethyst attracts attention from all corners of the globe. Amethyst gemstones are incredibly versatile and can complement any jewelry set. Amethysts come in many colors and it’s hard to go wrong with any of them because of their understated elegance and sophistication. While the pastel stones are ideal for everyday wear, the rich purple stones can help make a bold statement. You can choose from any of the different types of amethyst gemstones according to your style or preference. While the rarity, price and color might differ for each amethyst, in the end, all of them are highly loved gemstones.

What type of Amethyst do you like most? Let us know in the comments below.

FAQs

1. Which Type of Amethyst Is Good for Jewelry?

Purple amethysts are considered to be the best for jewelry. The brilliant purple sheen of this amethyst gemstone stands out more than any other.

2. What Types of Amethyst Are Used by Angara for Jewelry Making?

Angara uses the best quality and GIA-certified amethyst gemstones for jewelry making.

Are There Different Types of Amethyst Gemstones? Find Out!