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Amethyst
Published: June 20, 2007 Types: Lavender amethyst is pale purple and contains subtle stripes. Ametrine is a bicolored quartz that is part amethyst and part citrine.
History: With its rich purple hues, amethyst has been prized by royalty (from the Egyptians to the British monarchy) for centuries.
Origins: South America, Africa, and Russia are top producers of amethyst. Russia is known for amethyst that is clear and dark.
Treatments: Heat treatments lighten the color of very dark amethyst and can transform amethyst into citrine.
Availability: The large quantity of available amethyst makes this highly valued gemstone very affordable.
Care: The safest way to clean amethyst is to use warm, soapy water. Some amethyst jewelry may fade if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time, so store it somewhere dark. |
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