The word “amethyst” comes from the Greek word amethystos, which means “a treatment against drunkenness,” a quality that has long been associated with the purple birthstone. Early Greek mythology connected the gem with Bacchus, the deity of wine, because of its wine-like tint. Additionally, amethyst was thought to maintain its wearer logical and astute in both combat and professional situations. It was believed by Renaissance Europeans to calm lovers overcome by passion.
The jewel that is customarily given at the sixth wedding anniversary is amethyst. You’ll be in regal company if you don it in honor of your wedding or as your birthstone for February. Empress Catherine II of Russia (17291796), known as Catherine the Great, loved the gemstone and adorned herself with amethyst necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry. Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (18961986), a well-known jewelry enthusiast, created a lasting impression in 1953 when she attended a gala in Versailles wearing a pricey amethyst bib necklace by Cartier.
In This Article...
What purple gemstone is that?
Most purple gemstones are variations or replacements for blue sapphires, which are prized for their astrological power and the jewelry fashioned from them.
Amethyst, Purple Sapphire, and Khooni Neelam are the three most widely used purple gems.
One of the most well-known alternatives to blue sapphire is amethyst, commonly referred as as jamunia.
What birthstone hue is light purple?
Amethyst. Crystalline quartz in shades ranging from light lilac to dark reddish purple is amethyst. Given that it has a hardness rating of 7, it is extremely scratch-resistant. The birthstone for February is a lovely diamond for any style of jewelry.
Purple birthstone for December?
Tanzanite. The rare blue-purple form of the mineral zoisite called tanzanite is only found in one region of the world. Tanzanite, so named because of its narrow geographic origin in Tanzania, has rapidly gained prominence since it was only recently discovered.
What purple gem is the rarest?
Tanzanite, a far rarer stone, with intense violet-blue tones that equal excellent sapphire at a fraction of the cost. This type of zoisite, which is only found in a limited portion of Tanzania, has gained considerable notoriety. It gained popularity soon after its 1967 discovery, in part as a result of Tiffany & Co.’s marketing initiatives. Depending on the viewing position, this stone exhibits considerable pleochroism, appearing blue, violet, green-yellow, or brown. These diamonds are oriented by gem cutters to exhibit blue or violet tones. Even though practically all tanzanites are heated to get their lovely blue colours, it is the stability of color that makes this stone so coveted.
What is the name of a lavender stone?
Amethyst is arguably the most recognizable purple gemstone. This stone was regarded as being equally valuable to rubies, emeralds, and diamonds in antiquity. Before significant amounts of amethyst were discovered in Brazil, amethyst stones were highly prized but less frequent.
All hues of purple are present in amethyst, but the darkest tones are thought to be the best. These gemstones are frequently used in jewelry because of how nicely their color complements both neutral and vivid tones. It’s interesting to note that if amethyst is left in the direct sun for too long, the color may fade.
Amethysts may withstand some wear and tear, but they need a lot of work to keep their color and luster. However, these precious stones can endure a lifetime if they are properly cared for.
Amethyst meaning & properties
The Greek word ametusthos, which means “not drunk,” is where the name amethyst originates. According to legend, the purple gemstone has the ability to shield its owner from excessive drinking and eating. A purple amethyst ring with a Cupid engraving was worn by St. Valentine, who is closely associated with the gemstone. The purple jewel, which is the February birthstone and today honors Valentine’s Day, is a representation of devoted love.
What birthstone has the rarest stone?
While some birthstones are more accessible than others, precious gemstones in particular are thought to be relatively scarce. However, given that some really expensive stones are not all that rare and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.
Birthstones provide an intriguing way to select jewelry. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.
Do amethysts cost a lot?
Amethyst’s primary colors range from a mild pinkish violet to a deep purple. One or both of the secondary colorsred and bluecan be seen in amethyst. Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Siberia, and the far east are all places where you can get high-quality amethyst. The Rose de France brand has been used to sell the pale lavender or lilac color. Previously thought to be unattractive, these light colors have recently grown in acceptance thanks to aggressive marketing.
The deepest purple amethysts that may be found are sought after by many collectors. However, despite their high value, the darker purple stones lack the faint sparkle of the slightly lighter stones. Look for the medium to medium-dark tones for a stone that has more life.
Even at the higher grades, amethyst is incredibly cheap for a rock that was formerly valued as highly as sapphire. High-end cut stones typically cost $20 to $30 per carat, with really exquisite specimens costing around $40 per carat.
The majority of fine amethyst is highly clean, untreated, and available in big quantities. It is a fairly resilient stone that works well for various types of jewelry.
Are there two birthstones for each month?
Although each month has a single birthstone traditionally, certain months have numerous birthstones. This fact does cause some confusion, but the variety of possibilities for some months was developed to give customers a choice of less expensive selections in addition to the more typical, pricey stones.