Amethyst Internationally Acclaimed Gem
by Mathew Abraham
Now that amethyst is being mined all over the world, it is readily available internationally and has become very popular with jewelers. Its natural attributes (especially color, shape and size) vary according to the location from which it is mined. The stone comes in a dazzling array of enchanting shades that range from deep purples to pale lilac pastels. It is a much sought after gem because of its association with royalty, the wealthy and powerful, and also with certain religious leaders. Wearing the gem gives its owner a sense of belonging to a superior class in society. It is also believed to have many supernatural powers that are beneficial to the wearer. It is the internationally accepted choice as a gift for the 4th, 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries.
International acceptance of Amethyst
All collectors of gems and minerals are familiar with amethyst. Its widespread availability makes it easy to recognize. Even though the stones differ in nature depending on the location from which they are mined, experts are able to identify the original location of the stone by assessing its natural attributes. The gem comes in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes, all of which are acceptable to collectors as well as jewelers. Most customers shopping for amethyst ornaments have different reasons for selecting the stone of their choice. Many are attracted to the mystical and astrological attributes credited to the stone. One such quality for which the stone is internationally famous is the belief that it prevents the wearer from becoming intoxicated. And it is not just from alcoholic intoxication, but also from other kinds of intoxication like the amorous or addictive kinds. It is also believed to give the wearer clarity of thought and temperance, qualities desirable in leaders of society and industry. This is the main reason why it has been internationally acclaimed as the “Royal Gem” for centuries. And it is for this reason that aristocratic, religious and political leaders from every part of the world can be seen wearing this stone even today.
Amethyst is the official birthstone for the month of February and the astrological stone for the zodiac sign Pisces. It is also accepted as an additional stone for the zodiac signs Aries, Aquarius, Virgo, Capricorn and Sagittarius. As more and more people around the world are being attracted to astrological horoscopes, the demand for zodiac and birth stones is rapidly increasing. This factor has contributed to a considerable increase in the demand for amethyst internationally. Many people believe it brings true love and good fortune.
The stone is credited with several other attributes that make it internationally renowned. It is believed to bring peace and tranquility to the wearer and make the person more tender-hearted and affable. It is also believed to have the power of cleansing the soul, removing any self-destructive and undesirable traits and replacing them with a purer form of spirituality. According to traditional reports, it has the ability to heal physical, emotional and mental disorders. Some persons are convinced that amethyst can deflect different kinds of energies directed towards the wearer, so that the person does not absorb them. They claim that the human intellect does not have the capacity to comprehend the manner in which these powers work. The stone is said to endow the wearer with psychic powers and the ability to see prophetic dreams that predict events about to take place in the future.
International locations and standards of Amethyst
Amethyst is essentially quartz, and some variety of quartz crystals can be found in practically every kind of rock formation. That is why amethyst is so readily available all over the world – although in different grades having a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Even the structural formation varies from area to area. The commonly accepted method of identification is by its six-sided prismatic structure and its hardness value of 7 It has a specific gravity of 2.66 and a refractive index of 1.54 – 1.55.. The mineral composition is crystalline quartz and the chemical composition is SiO2. The best varieties are mined from deposits in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Japan, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. Other well known locations include Canada, Zambia, Bolivia, the United States, India, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Iran and Uruguay.
The internationally accepted superior grades of amethyst are the Amethyst Quartz (a fusion of amethyst and milky quartz that either has purple and white bands or is purple on top and translucent beneath), Canadian Amethyst (having an inner glaze of red hematite and confined to Thunder Bay in Ontario), Ametrine (a purple and orange combination of amethyst and citrine), Lavender Amethyst (a pastel shade of pale purple) and Vera Cruz Amethyst (having a tall, prismatic structure and located in Vera Cruz, México). The best quality of amethyst is expected to have a rich purple or violet color with flashes of rose red. Though this variety is referred to as the “Siberian”, it is mined from many other locations like Uruguay and Zambia. Some pale violet pastels with a reddish tinge are also in demand. Light lilac, lavender and mauve are other common colors. The lighter pale shades are considered to be of a lesser standard, and the best of them are the pinkish lavender or lilac colored stone called the “Rose De France”. The purple corundum (or sapphire) is called the “Oriental Amethyst” even though it may not have any oriental origins.
The color in most stones tends to fade or change over a period of time, particularly if subjected to heat and light. In fact most citrine, cairngorm and yellow quartz are formed as the result of artificially controlled heat and light application to amethyst. One such example is the “Ametrine”, so called because it develops alternate bands of purple (from amethyst) and orange (from citrine) after treatment. Today, most dealers in amethyst subject the stone to controlled degrees of heat treatment in order to heighten or change their color. Invariably the treatment has a permanent effect. Amethyst comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most are suitable for collectors but there is more demand for stones that can be cut for jewelry. Besides, because of the traditional folklore and legends associated with amethyst, many wearers require the stone to be cut in specific shapes for specific purposes.
Amethyst – the international precious stone
Because of its availability all over the world and because of the wide range available in color and price, amethyst has become a truly internationally acclaimed stone for all persons in all places. Its legendry healing and mystical powers add to the enchanting allure of the gem. And the fact that it is identified with royalty and the uppermost layers of society make the stone even more desirable