Amethyst

Amethyst is one of the world’s most popular gemstones because of its rich color and durability.

Long ago amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and piety, so it was used for bishops’ rings and church ornamentation in the Middle Ages.

The color of amethyst ranges from “pale lilac” to deep purple. A rich purple with rose flashes is considered the finest color.

Amethyst is affordable and can be found in large sizes in a variety of gem cuts and shapes.

Synthetic amethyst is being grown in labs in Russia, China, among others. It often takes a gemological laboratory to separate it from natural amethyst, so use care when buying from questionable sources.

Amethyst is mined mainly in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Tanzania. It is the mineral quartz with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. It is durable and great for everyday wear.

Clean with mild dish soap in warm water: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.