Natural Amethyst: Complete Guide for Trade, Jewelry, and Collections

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about natural amethysts, for trade partners, jewelers, and collectors alike.

Overview

Natural amethyst, a variety of quartz, is celebrated for its vibrant purple color, which can range from light lavender to deep violet. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, amethyst is durable and suitable for various types of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and earrings. Often associated with tranquility and balance, amethyst has a strong presence in both the fashion and fine jewelry markets. Its affordability and widespread availability have made it a popular choice among consumers and collectors alike. Understanding its properties, sources, and market dynamics is essential for anyone involved in its trade or collection.

Physical Properties and Specifications

  • Chemical Composition: SiO₂ (silicon dioxide)

  • Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale

  • Crystal System: Hexagonal

  • Refractive Index: 1.544 - 1.553

  • Specific Gravity: 2.65

  • Pleochroism: Absent

  • Fluorescence: Generally inert

  • Cleavage/Fracture: Conchoidal fracture

Color and Quality Classifications

Available Color Ranges

  • Primary hues: Purple

  • Secondary modifications: Light lavender, mauve, and violet

  • Tone and saturation ranges: Light to dark tones with vivid saturation

  • Premium colors: Deep violet and rich purple

  • Commercial grades: Light shades and less saturated colors

Clarity Characteristics

  • Typical inclusion types: Liquid inclusions, gas bubbles, and color zoning

  • Clarity grading standards: Eye-clean to included

  • Source-specific features: Unique inclusions that may indicate origin

  • Eye-clean criteria: No visible inclusions to the naked eye

Source Locations and Material

Historic sources

  • Brazil, Uruguay, and Egypt

Current production

  • Significant production is currently from Brazil, Uruguay, and Madagascar.

Source-specific characteristics

  • Each location imparts distinct characteristics in color and clarity.

Production trends

  • Increasing demand for amethyst has led to rising prices, especially for high-quality specimens.