Why are amethyst different colors?

Asked by: Jennifer Hutchens

Amethyst is a variety of quartz that appears in various shades of purple and violet. This unique hue is caused by the interaction of iron contained in each crystal and the gamma rays that pass through them.

Is darker amethyst more valuable?

Amethyst ranges in color from light, pinkish-purple to deep purple. Generally the darker the more valuable.

How many colors does amethyst come in?

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.

Is dark or light amethyst better?

The darker the better, unless the amethyst is so dark that it looks black in low light. In fact, the ideal color is called Siberian purple, because that’s where the deepest purple stones were once found.

What is the true color of amethyst?

purple

The color of Amethyst is usually a purple or violet hue. Some stones will be so dark that they appear a wine-shaded red or black and others are pale as lavender and shot with shades of white and blue.

How can you tell a good amethyst?

The finest amethyst color is a strong reddish purple or purple with no visible color zoning. Dealers prefer strongly saturated reddish purple to dark purple, as long as the stone is not so dark that it reduces brightness. If the color is too dark, an amethyst might look black under dim lighting conditions.

How do I make my amethyst purple again?

The colors of both amethyst and smoky quartz are stable to light, but are lost when heated to between 300 and 500°C. If not overheated, the color center and the color can be restored by another irradiation, and so on.

What is the rarest type of amethyst?

What Is The Rarest Color Of Amethyst. As common as the mineral quartz is, the finest amethyst commonly known as “Siberian color” is quite rare. This color is the color of concord grapes with a secondary red flash when viewed in incandescent lighting.

Is black amethyst real?

Is Black Amethyst Real Amethyst? Yes, black amethyst is real and actual amethyst. While the inclusion of hematite gives the stone its distinct dark colour, when looked at through a ray of light, one can actually still see colourings of dark purple and violet.

Why is my amethyst turning green?

The green amethyst is heat treated amethyst that turns green. The green color can also be caused by irradiating some quartz. There is also some naturally occurring green quartz (prase, etc).

Is blue amethyst rare?

The shade of blue will differ from stone to stone depending on the historical formation of the rock in which the crystal was unearthed. Blue amethyst is considered rather rare, and many crystal collectors spend months, and even years, to come across this prized stone.

Which birthstone is amethyst?

February Birthstone

If you were born in February, your birthstone is amethyst – the purple variety of quartz that has captivated mankind for millennia. Its lilac to deep purple hues can be cut into many shapes and sizes, and it can be manufactured in a lab as well as mined.

Does amethyst change color?

If you leave your amethyst in sunlight or under other UV sources for too long, its color will fade. And if you expose amethyst to heat, you’ll see the color fade as well. Sometimes, instead of gray or clear crystal, you’ll end up with vivid yellows that look a lot like citrine.

How much does real amethyst cost?

Today, even at the higher grades, amethyst is quite affordable. Prices range between $20 and $30 per carat. Particularly pure pieces of the gemstone are priced at around $40 or $50 per carat.

Can amethyst go in water?

As explained before, amethyst can go in water. People ask this question often, and especially so depending on what they’re planning to do with the gemstone. Generally speaking, amethyst is considered a water-safe gemstone because of its 7 rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

How do you recharge amethyst?

For charging amethyst, subjecting it to the light radiated by the full moon is a special and ideal method. Charging with the help of the moonlight happens on an energetic level. Many believe that subjecting crystals to the moonlight can help recharge their positive energies.

Which Colour amethyst is most valuable?

purple

The deep colors are the most valuable, especially a rich purple with rose flashes. Amethyst that either a weak or a light color or have zones of either light or dark purple colors are considerably less valuable.. The most priced amethyst are “Siberian” deep purple amethyst with red and blue flashes.

Is dark or light amethyst more expensive?

Color: The Darker, The More Expensive



Of the variety of the Amethyst’s hues, the gemstones that are darker in color are more valuable. The exception is if the hue appears black in low light.

How much is dark amethyst worth?

Prices range between $20 and $30 per carat. Particularly pure pieces of the gemstone are priced at around $40 or $50 per carat.

What type of amethyst is most valuable?

Siberian Amethyst

The most valued type of Amethyst for jewelry is the “Siberian Amethyst,” presenting a deep purple color with blue and red flashes. Starting from the 19th century, large deposits of Amethyst were found in South America, in Brazil, Bolivia, and recently in the late 1900s in Uruguay.

Why is pink amethyst so expensive?

Because pink amethyst has only ever been found in Patagonia, it is considered a rare and valuable form of amethyst.

Is black amethyst real?

Is Black Amethyst Real Amethyst? Yes, black amethyst is real and actual amethyst. While the inclusion of hematite gives the stone its distinct dark colour, when looked at through a ray of light, one can actually still see colourings of dark purple and violet.