*Please note all loose gemstones are sold on behalf of a third-party wholesaler and pricing is therefore linked to the US$. Regular price updates are performed in order to accommodate fluctuations in the exchange rate and may be carried out without prior notice. Dispatch on loose gemstones will take place 2 working days after purchase to allow for shipping from the supplier to my studio. I do regular inventory updates with them to ensure accuracy, but since these stones are also offered for sale to other jewellery designers, it may happen that a particular stone is no longer available at the time of purchase. In such a case you will receive the opportunity to change your order or a full refund.
This lovely 15.30 carat natural amethyst is a deep violet colour.
Amethyst is the official February birthstone, as well as the 6th wedding anniversary stone.
Weight: 15.30 carat
Cut: Oval checkerboard
Colour: Deep violet
Length: 18.7 mm
Width: 14.86 mm
Depth: 10.25 mm
Treatment: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
Certificate: No – Can be certified at an extra charge.
About Amethyst:
Species: Quartz
Deposits found in: Brazil, Zambia, Uruguay, Burma, Madagascar, India, Canada, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the USA.
Known colours: Pale yellow, yellow, orangey yellow, greenish yellow and lime green.
Mohs Hardness: 7
Amethyst has a long history in lore and its name is derived from the Greek word amethystos which translates to “not drunk,” as it was commonly believed in those days that amethyst crystals can guard against drunkenness. As such, ancient Greeks often carved drinking vessels from large amethyst crystals.
This gem has lost some of this historical popularity in modern times, though as recently as the 18th and 19th centuries, amethyst was considered one of the most valuable and desirable gems, worn by royalty and often included in expensive haute joaillerie suites. Today, the light pinkish-lavender shades are extremely popular, which are referred to as Rose de France, and are often favoured by artisan lapidaries to show off their cutting skills.
Though amethyst crystals are abundant, very clear gem quality crystals with even colouring and a deep violet hue are not, and clear gems of this colour can fetch prices close to a hundred dollars per carat. Amethyst has historically been prized by the Catholic Church, featuring in many jewellery items worn by high church officials.
Amethyst is a variant of quartz, with iron atoms acting as the colouring agent. Other variants of quartz include: ametrine, aventurine, citrine, prasiolite, rock crystal, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, smokey quartz & tiger’s eye.
The colouring in quartz crystals (even when natural) are sensitive to light, especially sunlight, and heat, and therefore care must be taken when storing these gems.
Please note: We take great care to ensure that the photographs are an accurate representation of the actual stone, but due to differences in screen quality and resolution, and the fact that the colour of a gemstone is dependent on the type of light it is viewed in, some variation is possible.
Stock Code: DM551417
