Amethyst is a purple gemstone that belongs to the quartz family. It has a hardness of 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, meaning it is scratch-resistant to objects with a hardness lower than 7, and it is durable enough for daily wear. Most known for its vibrant violet hue, amethyst has a colour range from pastel lilac to royal purple. The dark purple variety, as the name suggests, has adorned many crown jewels throughout history, and continues to be one of the royals’ favourite gemstones.
History
Amethyst has a rather convivial background; its name originates from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated”. The gem was believed to be a sober stone that could cure drunkenness, and was associated with Bacchus, the ancient Greek god, because of its colour. Hermippus once described that the aroma of the best wine is a glorious fragrance of hyacinth, violets and roses.
Modern symbolism
Amethyst is the birthstone for February, and it is also the gem for the 6th and 17th anniversary celebrations. Legend has it that St Valentine has an amethyst ring engraved with Cupid, making it the ideal gemstone to reignite the passion just before the seven-year itch.
Amethyst buying guide
Without a doubt, purple is indeed the most important quality when buying Amethyst, those with a deep pure purple hue that are free from secondary colour and/or colour zoning are considered the finest. It is advised to inspect the stone from the top for its colour quality. When it comes to clarity, amethyst is considered a type 2 gemstone, meaning most Amethysts are eye clean with little inclusion. Cut is a personal affair, whether you are looking for a classic round amethyst or a unique cut, you’d want to ensure the stone is cut properly by professionals.
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The name amethyst originates from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated.” It was believed to be a sober stone with the ability to cure drunkenness and was associated with Bacchus, the ancient Greek god, due to its colour.
Amethyst is the birthstone for February and the gem for the 6th and 17th anniversary celebrations. Legend has it that St. Valentine wore an amethyst ring engraved with Cupid, making it ideal for reigniting passion.
Purple hue is the most important quality; stones with a deep, pure purple free from secondary colour or zoning are finest. Amethyst is a Type 2 gemstone, typically eye-clean with minimal inclusions, and cut quality should ensure professional execution.