As the birthstone for February, amethyst boasts a wine-like color and unique texture. Its beautiful appearance captures the attention of many jewelry enthusiasts, leaving people entranced. Today, let's explore the mysterious amethyst.
Amethyst can be used as a home decoration or made into jewelry, symbolizing honesty and kindness. According to ancient legends, amethyst possesses mysterious powers that can help people achieve spiritual balance and enhance inner strength.
Amethyst ranges in color from light purple to deep purple, and it can exhibit varying degrees of brown, red, and blue hues. High-quality amethysts from Brazil show a deeper purple color and reveal reddish-purple flashes when viewed under top facets, while amethysts from Africa often have strong blue tones. Amethysts from China are lighter, with a pale purple color tinged with a slight brownish hue and high transparency.
Amethyst can include various inclusions typical of the crystal family. Additionally, common internal features of amethyst include "tiger stripes" (also known as "zebra stripes") and ball-shaped or small droplet-shaped opaque brown inclusions.
Amethyst has good toughness and stability, making it suitable for daily wear. However, since its hardness is much lower than that of diamonds and sapphires, amethyst should be protected from collisions and friction with harder gemstones. It should also be kept away from high temperatures and direct sunlight. After wearing, it should be cleaned with a soft cloth before storage.
If you think amethyst is cheap, you are mistaken. For example, take a look at the amethyst necklace made by Cartier for the Duchess of Windsor in 1947. Although this necklace was made over half a century ago, it still looks very fashionable today.
Cartier's amethyst necklace for the Duchess of Windsor
Many international jewelry brands and designers also view amethyst as a source of inspiration. Let's explore some amethyst pieces from major brands.
Dior amethyst pieces
Tiffany & Co. amethyst pieces
Van Cleef & Arpels amethyst pieces
With the support of these luxury brands, the value of amethyst has been rising, especially for pieces with pure quality and good color, which often fetch surprising prices at auctions.
Sotheby’s auction: Amethyst and diamond cross necklace
In January 2023, Kim Kardashian purchased Princess Diana's amethyst and diamond cross necklace at a Sotheby’s auction in London for £163,800. It was reported that in the last 5 minutes of the auction, four bidders competed for the cross pendant, but Kim Kardashian ultimately acquired it for more than twice the pre-auction estimate.
Amethyst has a long history, having been popular for thousands of years and always considered a gemstone with a mysterious aura. For everyday wear, choose amethyst with a rich color and no visible impurities to enhance your elegant style. This summer, wear an elegant and mysterious amethyst to express your fashion sense!