Gem Profile- Amethyst
As we learned in an Introduction to Quartz, macrocrystalline quartz results when the mineral's crystals are easily visible. When this type of precious quartz is translucent to transparent, it can be made into cabochons or carved; however, when it is "jewelry grade" or totally transparent with zero inclusions, it is usually faceted into some of the most amazing gemstones!
The color of a quartz is the result of it forming near, or with, another mineral or compound.
The type of material that will be covered in this article is amethyst - to be followed by ametrine and citrine next week.
I'll cover prasiolite (green quartz), rock crystal, rose quartz, and smoky quartz in weeks to come.
Joan Madouse created this pendant by wrapping a purple amethyst checkerboard cut 33ct in silver filled wire.
The type of material that will be covered in this article is amethyst - to be followed by ametrine and citrine next week.
I'll cover prasiolite (green quartz), rock crystal, rose quartz, and smoky quartz in weeks to come.
Joan Madouse created this pendant by wrapping a purple amethyst checkerboard cut 33ct in silver filled wire.
About Amethyst
Amethyst gets its color from iron and natural gamma rays during formation.
It appears in deep blue-purple to light pinkish-lavender hues, sometimes with reds and gray.
Most market amethyst comes from South America and Madagascar.
It also mines in India, Russia's Ural Mountains, Germany, Canada, Pakistan, Finland, and Sri Lanka.
Special forms include "cactus" amethyst, found only in South Africa.
Arizona's Four Peaks Amethyst Mine is nearly inaccessible.
The deep purple material resembles Siberian amethyst.
Rough cuts in Thailand; faceted stones sell to major jewelers.
Arnie Adams used sterling silver wire to frame an amethyst cluster.
She learned techniques from Dale's videos.
Wire wrapping was a "wonderful and fun challenge."
She bought the crystals on Lake Superior's north shore while vacationing.
Amethyst gets its color from iron and natural gamma rays during formation.
It appears in deep blue-purple to light pinkish-lavender hues, sometimes with reds and gray.
Most market amethyst comes from South America and Madagascar.
It also mines in India, Russia's Ural Mountains, Germany, Canada, Pakistan, Finland, and Sri Lanka.
Special forms include "cactus" amethyst, found only in South Africa.
Arizona's Four Peaks Amethyst Mine is nearly inaccessible.
The deep purple material resembles Siberian amethyst.
Rough cuts in Thailand; faceted stones sell to major jewelers.
Arnie Adams used sterling silver wire to frame an amethyst cluster.
She learned techniques from Dale's videos.
Wire wrapping was a "wonderful and fun challenge."
She bought the crystals on Lake Superior's north shore while vacationing.
Amethyst from Ontario's Thunder Bay area often includes hematite spots.
These create a reddish-pink tint in the lavender crystals.
Local parking lots use small amethyst crystal clusters as gravel.
The amethyst from Thunder Bay, Canada is often a bit more pink due to hematite.
These create a reddish-pink tint in the lavender crystals.
Local parking lots use small amethyst crystal clusters as gravel.
The amethyst from Thunder Bay, Canada is often a bit more pink due to hematite.
Amethyst geodes, called amethyst cathedrals, form when quartz crystallizes in gas pockets of volcanic rock.
Most come from Brazil's Minas Gerais as small to gigantic geodes in basalt.
Blackish-gray material surrounds them to stabilize thin quartz walls.
Beautiful, pricey flower-like amethyst slices are stalactite cuts with quartz or agate centers from Brazil and Uruguay.
The amethyst cathedral that resides in Dale's studio.
This huge Brazilian amethyst geode was the star of the show in Tucson a few years ago.
Most come from Brazil's Minas Gerais as small to gigantic geodes in basalt.
Blackish-gray material surrounds them to stabilize thin quartz walls.
Beautiful, pricey flower-like amethyst slices are stalactite cuts with quartz or agate centers from Brazil and Uruguay.
The amethyst cathedral that resides in Dale's studio.
This huge Brazilian amethyst geode was the star of the show in Tucson a few years ago.
A slice of amethyst stalactite resembles a flower and works well with the agate butterfly in this pendant designed and made of wire by Dale Cougar Armstrong.
Amethyst Facts
Gem quality amethyst once ranked among top gemstones with ruby, sapphire, emerald, and diamond.
Best specimens came from Siberia in rare, large quantities with good color.
South American deposits dropped its top ranking.
Now amethyst is extremely affordable in a wide quality range.
Elaine Pataky created this amethyst pendant by wrapping a stone in sterling silver wire and accenting with beads.
Marcia Kertel created this amethyst necklace using sterling silver wire, amethyst beads, and black pearls.
Gem quality amethyst once ranked among top gemstones with ruby, sapphire, emerald, and diamond.
Best specimens came from Siberia in rare, large quantities with good color.
South American deposits dropped its top ranking.
Now amethyst is extremely affordable in a wide quality range.
Elaine Pataky created this amethyst pendant by wrapping a stone in sterling silver wire and accenting with beads.
Marcia Kertel created this amethyst necklace using sterling silver wire, amethyst beads, and black pearls.
Amethyst's color range inspires marketing names.
Pale violet-pink amethyst is called "Rose la France" since the 1930s.
Translucent to opaque banded amethyst with white, purple, and lavender stripes is chevron amethyst.
It suits beads and cabochons.
Amethyst may resemble beryl, kunzite, fluorite, spinel, or tourmaline.
Avoid deep purple faceted "Japanese" amethyst, which is synthetic or glass.
Natural amethyst is affordable and ideal for wire workers.
Keep it from sunlight to prevent fading.
A faceted, 27-carat Rose la France amethyst wire wrapped into a pendant by Dale Cougar Armstrong.
Pale violet-pink amethyst is called "Rose la France" since the 1930s.
Translucent to opaque banded amethyst with white, purple, and lavender stripes is chevron amethyst.
It suits beads and cabochons.
Amethyst may resemble beryl, kunzite, fluorite, spinel, or tourmaline.
Avoid deep purple faceted "Japanese" amethyst, which is synthetic or glass.
Natural amethyst is affordable and ideal for wire workers.
Keep it from sunlight to prevent fading.
A faceted, 27-carat Rose la France amethyst wire wrapped into a pendant by Dale Cougar Armstrong.
Amethyst Metaphysical and Cultural Meanings
Amethyst has been a popular quartz gemstone for centuries.
Its name comes from Greek "a-methystos," meaning "unaffected by drink."
Ancient Romans and Greeks supposedly used amethyst cups to prevent intoxication from wine.
Research reveals the real trick: watered-down wine in amethyst cups looked high-quality, curbing heavy drinking. Pretty clever!
This is a 4-inch long amethyst stalactite, photographed from the top. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Amethyst has been a popular quartz gemstone for centuries.
Its name comes from Greek "a-methystos," meaning "unaffected by drink."
Ancient Romans and Greeks supposedly used amethyst cups to prevent intoxication from wine.
Research reveals the real trick: watered-down wine in amethyst cups looked high-quality, curbing heavy drinking. Pretty clever!
This is a 4-inch long amethyst stalactite, photographed from the top. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Amethyst is North Carolina's state stone and Uruguay's national stone.
It appears in the Bible as part of Aaron's Breastplate and New Jerusalem's foundations.
It serves as February's birthstone and the 4th and 6th wedding anniversary stone.
Catherine the Great collected it; Edward the Confessor's 1042 amethyst is England's oldest crown jewel.
Kings and popes chose it; Catholics wear amethyst rings for understanding, thought, and philosophy.
Ancient people used amethyst amulets against sickness and bad luck.
A cloudy piece of amethyst carved and polished into a 3-dimensional teardrop shape; purchased in Thailand by Dale Armstrong for her private collection.
It appears in the Bible as part of Aaron's Breastplate and New Jerusalem's foundations.
It serves as February's birthstone and the 4th and 6th wedding anniversary stone.
Catherine the Great collected it; Edward the Confessor's 1042 amethyst is England's oldest crown jewel.
Kings and popes chose it; Catholics wear amethyst rings for understanding, thought, and philosophy.
Ancient people used amethyst amulets against sickness and bad luck.
A cloudy piece of amethyst carved and polished into a 3-dimensional teardrop shape; purchased in Thailand by Dale Armstrong for her private collection.
Amethyst is a "stone of spirituality and contentment."
It clears the aura and balances emotion, intellect, and physical energies.
It protects against psychic attacks and aids assimilating new ideas.
(As designers, maybe carry an amethyst stone in your pocket this next year?)
A chunk of amethyst rough that Dale dug in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Notice how the crystals formed almost like a zipper.
Further into the specimen, a cavity opened up that was lined with perfect crystals that were still wet!
It clears the aura and balances emotion, intellect, and physical energies.
It protects against psychic attacks and aids assimilating new ideas.
(As designers, maybe carry an amethyst stone in your pocket this next year?)
A chunk of amethyst rough that Dale dug in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Notice how the crystals formed almost like a zipper.
Further into the specimen, a cavity opened up that was lined with perfect crystals that were still wet!
Green Amethyst
"Green" amethyst hit the market big a couple years ago.
Affordable, faceted stones appeared everywhere.
Many wondered why purple amethyst suddenly turned green.
Natural gem-quality green quartz is rare; this "green" amethyst is heat-treated pale amethyst from specific areas.
Not all amethyst turns green when heated.
Most "green" amethyst on the market is now synthetic.
Heating most amethyst creates yellow, gold, or brown shades like citrine and ametrine.
"Green" amethyst hit the market big a couple years ago.
Affordable, faceted stones appeared everywhere.
Many wondered why purple amethyst suddenly turned green.
Natural gem-quality green quartz is rare; this "green" amethyst is heat-treated pale amethyst from specific areas.
Not all amethyst turns green when heated.
Most "green" amethyst on the market is now synthetic.
Heating most amethyst creates yellow, gold, or brown shades like citrine and ametrine.
Resources
Print Resources:
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Love is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
Gems and Minerals of the Bible by Ruth V. Wright and Robert Chadbourne, Harper & Row, 1954
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Internet Resources:
www.mindat.org
www.wikipedia.org
Print Resources:
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Love is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
Gems and Minerals of the Bible by Ruth V. Wright and Robert Chadbourne, Harper & Row, 1954
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Internet Resources:
www.mindat.org
www.wikipedia.org
Materials
Wire
Amethyst 10x14mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 2
E8-15B
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $7.17
- Gold Club Price: $5.38
Amethyst 18x25mm Rectangle Cabochon
E8-15Q
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $4.97
- Gold Club Price: $3.73
Dog Teeth Amethyst 10x14mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 2
E8-13B
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $4.57
- Gold Club Price: $3.43
Dog Teeth Amethyst 30x40mm Rectangle Cabochon
E8-13S
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $6.68
- Gold Club Price: $5.01
WireJewelry Amethyst Rough - Large Natural Gemstones in 1.5 LB Bag
E6-102R
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $19.12
- Gold Club Price: $14.34
Amethyst 10mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-636
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $13.65
- Gold Club Price: $10.24
Amethyst 30x40mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-6
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $19.97
- Gold Club Price: $14.98
Amethyst Beads
Amethyst Cabochons
Amethyst Cubic Zirconia
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
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- Category: General Education
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Dale Armstrong
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