Amethyst is a stunning violet variety of quartz composed of silicon dioxide, colored by trace amounts of iron and aluminum that create its signature purple hues ranging from pale lavender to deep royal purple. This beloved gemstone has been treasured throughout history, once considered as precious as diamonds and rubies, and remains one of the most popular and recognizable crystals in the world. Amethyst forms in geodes and clusters within volcanic rocks, with the finest specimens displaying excellent transparency, vibrant color saturation, and distinctive zoning patterns that create beautiful color variations within individual crystals.
Specifications:
- Color range: Pale lilac to deep royal purple, with some specimens showing color zoning or bi-color variations
- Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
- Origin: Primarily Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Madagascar, Russia, South Korea, and Arizona USA
- Sizes: Available from tiny 3mm gems to massive cathedral geodes; cut stones commonly range from 5mm to 50mm+
- Shapes: Faceted gems, cabochons, beads, tumbled stones, points, clusters, and geode specimens
- Transparency: Transparent to translucent with excellent clarity in high-quality specimens
- Luster: Vitreous when polished, creating brilliant reflective surfaces
- Heat sensitivity: Color may fade or change to yellow/brown citrine with heat exposure
