Amethyst is the purple variety of the quartz mineral species. It's the gem that's most commonly associated with the color purple, even though there are other purple gems such as sapphire and tanzanite<a href="https://www.chordiajewels.com/categories/amethyst"amethyst</a>

1. Amethyst

2. Amethyst Story
Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Koine
Greek αμέθυστος amethystos from α- a-, "not" and μεθύσκω (Ancient
Greek) methysko / μεθώ metho (Modern Greek), "intoxicate", a reference
to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. The
ancient Greeks wore amethyst and carved drinking vessels from it in the
belief that it would prevent intoxication

3. Structure
Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO2) and owes its violet
color to irradiation, impurities of iron and in some cases other
transition metals, and the presence of other trace elements, which
result in complex crystal lattice substitutions. The hardness of the
mineral is the same as quartz, thus making it suitable for use in
jewelry.

4. Hue and Tone
Amethyst occurs in primary hues from a light lavender or pale violet, to a deep purple.
Amethyst may exhibit one or both secondary hues, red and blue. High quality amethyst
can be found in Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Uruguay, and the Far East. The ideal grade is
called "Deep Siberian" and has a primary purple hue of around 75–80%, with 15–20% blue
and (depending on the light source) red secondary hues. Rose de France’ is defined by its
markedly light shade of the purple, reminiscent of a lavender/lilac shade. These pale colors
were once considered undesirable but have recently become popular due to intensive
marketing.
Green quartz is sometimes incorrectly called green amethyst, which is a misnomer and not
an appropriate name for the material, the proper terminology being prasiolite. Other names
for green quartz are vermarine or lime citrine.

5. Amethyst frequently shows color zoning, with the most intense color typically found at
the crystal terminations. One aspect in the art of lapidary involves correctly cutting the
stone to place the color in a way that makes the tone of the finished gem
homogeneous. Often, the fact that sometimes only a thin surface layer of violet color
is present in the stone or that the color is not homogeneous means that only a small
portion of the material is suitable for faceting.
The color of amethyst has been demonstrated to result from substitution by irradiation
of trivalent iron (Fe3+) for silicon in the structure, in the presence of trace elements of
large ionic radius, and, to a certain extent, the amethyst color can naturally result from
displacement of transition elements even if the iron concentration is low. Natural
amethyst is dichroic in reddish violet and bluish violet, but when heated, turns yellow-
orange, yellow-brown, or dark brownish and may resemble citrine, but loses its
dichroism, unlike genuine citrine. When partially heated, amethyst can result in
ametrine.

6. History
Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians and was largely
employed in antiquity for intaglio engraved gems.
The Greeks believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication, while medieval
European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief
that amethysts heal people and keep them cool-headed. Beads of amethyst
were found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. Anglican bishops wear an
episcopal ring often set with an amethyst, an allusion to the description of the
Apostles as "not drunk" at Pentecost in Acts 2:15.
A large geode, or "amethyst-grotto", from near Santa Cruz in southern Brazil
was presented at a 1902 exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany.

7. Geographic Distribution
Amethyst is found in many locations around the world. Between 2000 and 2010,
the greatest production was from Marabá and Pau d'Arco, Pará, and the Paraná
Basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Sandoval, Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Artigas,
Uruguay; Kalomo, Zambia; and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lesser amounts are found
in many other locations in Africa, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Russia, Afghanistan,
South Korea, Mexico, and the United States.
Amethyst is produced in abundance from the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil
where it occurs in large geodes within volcanic rocks. Many of the hollow agates
of southwestern Brazil and Uruguay contain a crop of amethyst crystals in the
interior. Artigas, Uruguay and neighboring Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul are
large world producers, with lesser quantities mined in Minas Gerais and Bahia
states.

8. Amethyst is also found and mined in South Korea. The large opencast amethyst vein at
Maissau, Lower Austria, was historically important, but is no longer included among
significant producers. Much fine amethyst comes from Russia, especially from near
Mursinka in the Ekaterinburg district, where it occurs in drusy cavities in granitic rocks.
Amethyst was historically mined in many localities in south India, though these are no
longer significant producers. One of the largest global amethyst producers is Zambia in
southern Africa with an annual production of about 1000 tons.
Amethyst occurs at many localities in the United States. The most important production is
at Four Peaks, Gila and Maricopa Counties, Arizona, and Jackson's Crossroads, Wilkes
County, Georgia. Smaller occurrences have been reported in the Red Feather Lakes, near
Fort Collins, Colorado; Amethyst Mountain, Texas; Yellowstone National Park; Delaware
County, Pennsylvania; Haywood County, North Carolina; Deer Hill and Stow, Maine and in
the Lake Superior region of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Amethyst is relatively
common in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia. The largest amethyst mine
in North America is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario

9. Faceted amethyst
Emerald cut amethyst
Amethyst crystals from Mexico

10. Cultural History

11. Ancient Greece
The Greek word "amethystos" may be translated as "not drunken", from Greek a-, "not" + methustos,
"intoxicated". Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why
wine goblets were often carved from it. In his poem "L'Amethyste, ou les Amours de Bacchus et
d'Amethyste" (Amethyst or the loves of Bacchus and Amethyste), the French poet Remy Belleau
(1528–1577) invented a myth in which Bacchus, the god of intoxication, of wine, and grapes was
pursuing a maiden named Amethyste, who refused his affections. Amethyste prayed to the gods to
remain chaste, a prayer which the chaste goddess Diana answered, transforming her into a white
stone. Humbled by Amethyste's desire to remain chaste, Bacchus poured wine over the stone as an
offering, dyeing the crystals purple.
Variations of the story include that Dionysus had been insulted by a mortal and swore to slay the next
mortal who crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wrath. The mortal turned out to be a
beautiful young woman, Amethystos, who was on her way to pay tribute to Artemis. Her life was
spared by Artemis, who transformed the maiden into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her
from the brutal claws. Dionysus wept tears of wine in remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful
statue. The god's tears then stained the quartz purple.

12. Other Cultural Associations
Tibetans consider amethyst sacred to the Buddha and make prayer
beads from it. Amethyst is considered the birthstone of February. In the
Middle Ages, it was considered a symbol of royalty and used to
decorate English regalia. In the Old World, amethyst was considered
one of the Cardinal gems, in that it was one of the five gemstones
considered precious above all others, until large deposits were found in
Brazil.

13. Value
Up until the 18th century, amethyst was included in the cardinal, or most valuable,
gemstones (along with diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald). However, since the
discovery of extensive deposits in locations such as Brazil, it has lost most of its value.
Collectors look for depth of color, possibly with red flashes if cut conventionally. As
amethyst is readily available in large structures the value of the gem is not primarily
defined by carat weight; this is different from most gemstones where the carat weight
exponentially increases the value of the stone. The biggest factor in the value of
amethyst is the color displayed.
The highest-grade amethyst (called "Deep Russian") is exceptionally rare and
therefore, when one is found, its value is dependent on the demand of collectors. It is,
however, still orders of magnitude cheaper than the highest-grade sapphires or rubies.

14. Color Of Amethyst Gemstone
1. Amethyst Gemstone is very attractive gemstone
because of purple color. Amethyst is the name of the
color as like word Turquoise.
2. Variety of shades of Amethyst Orchid and Lavender
for light color, Reddish Purple or Violetish color.

15. Amethyst Crystal
Amethyst receiving at purple color during crystal growth
when trace amount of iron are in corporate into a
growing quartz crystal.
The intensity of purple color vary from crystal to crystal.
After the crystallization, gamma rays emitted by the
radioactive material, and use iron to purple color.

16. Amethyst Crystal

17. Properties Of Amethyst
Gemstone
1. Amethyst is a powerful and protective gemstone.
2. Amethyst boosts hormone production, tune the
endocrine system and metabolism.
3. Amethyst protects the wearer from all types of harm
psychic attack and other health problem.

18. Care Of Amethyst Gem and
Jewelry
Avoid prolonged to bright light.
Always cleaned amethyst jewelry with warm and
sudsy water or use soft cloth.

19. Amethyst Treatment to
Citrine and Prasiolite
. The color of Amethyst can be modified by
heating.
. Yellow or Golden Quartz sold as “Citrine”.
. Natural heating can also change the color of
Amethyst to pale green the name of the treatment
is called Prasiolite.

20. CUT
Amethyst can be cut into a wide variety of shapes. As this is the case, you
will be almost guaranteed to find a stone to fit your personal style. You will
find these gemstones cut into standard shapes like rounds, pears, ovals,
and cushions.
You will also find purple quartz cut into faceted patterns referred to as
brilliant cuts. And, if you are exceptionally adventurous, it is possible to
find this special stone cut into one-of-a-kind shapes.

21. CARAT
Carat weight is always of importance in the discussion
of gemstones. This stunning gemstone is often chosen
as a center stone in jewelry as the cost of an amethyst
does not increase in cost as dramatically with size as
many other gemstones. Like other semi-precious
gemstones, a large amethyst will be noticeably more
cost-effective than precious stones like diamonds,
rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.

22. CLARITY
Although clarity can have an impact on the value of
your amethyst, so long as inclusions are
indistinguishable to the naked eye, they will not greatly
reduce the value of your stone. Indeed, color is more
important in determining the value of this particular gem
than minor flaws. Even with minor undistinguishable
flaws, an amethyst with good color will retain most of its
value.

23. How is Amethyst Graded?
Whether you are born in the month of February or are
just a fan of this engaging purple gemstone, you will
want to understand how amethysts are graded for
quality.
Amethysts gemstones typically fall under a AAAA
to B grading system.

24. AAAA GRADING
It is extremely rare to find an amethyst with
this rating. Only 1% of all amethysts can be
expected to fall under this category. These
stones will have no inclusions visible to the
naked eye. Considered heirloom quality,
these much sought after gemstones will
have a distinctly dark purple hue.

25. AAA GRADING
You can expect to find only 10% of amethyst to fall
into this category. These exceptional gemstones
will have no visible flaws and a medium to dark
purple color.

26. AA GRADING
Approximately 33% of amethyst on the
market will fall into this category. You can
expect to find slight inclusions in these
medium purple gemstones.

27. A GRADING
Still considered good, these light purple
amethysts can be expected to have
slight to moderate inclusions.

28. B GRADING
There are also amethysts with a B grading, but we do
not recommend B grade amethysts to be set in jewelry.
They have obvious inclusions, and its color would have
hues of grey and/or brown. B grade amethysts are
usually chosen to be cut into cabochons, or beads.
However, there are circumstances where it can be
treated to have a richer purple color.

29. Color Chart Of all Grades

30. Thank You