Worthy of being set into the crown jewels but just as stunning in everyday pieces, amethyst is the birthstone for February.
What colour is amethyst
Traditionally associated with the colour purple, amethyst appears on the colour spectrum anywhere from a pale lilac to a deep, reddish purple. Amethyst is a type of quartz and this diversity of colours comes from its iron content and from natural irradiation. The most sought after amethyst jewellery, and therefore often the most valuable, have stones with an intense purple colour and darker tones. You should look for an evenly distributed and consistent colour throughout the stone.
Where do amethysts come from
In the 18th century, Russia led the worldwide production of amethyst, before new deposits were discovered in Brazil in the 19th century. Today, amethysts are sourced from Russia, Brazil, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, and the USA and this choice has made amethyst much more widely available.
The history of the amethyst
Derived from the ancient Greek for ‘not drunk’, amethysts were believed to protect against intoxication and overindulgence. The ancients took this belief so far that they believed you could drink to excess without getting drunk if you wore or carried an amethyst about your body, and some drinking vessels were even carved from the stone.
The meaning of amethysts
Today, amethysts symbolise peace and spiritual protection and are believed to contribute to clear thoughts and inner strength. They are also said to aid emotional wellbeing.
How to care for amethysts
Amethysts score 7 on the Mohs scale for hardness (where 1 is the softest, and 10 is the hardest). While it is a durable stone that can be worn on a daily basis, its hardness rating means that, overtime, the stone may show signs of wear and could need repolishing. Your amethyst birthstone jewellery should be cleaned with warm soapy water.
Famous amethysts
Amethyst has long been a favourite of royalty through the ages with Egyptian pharaohs wearing pendants crafted from the stone and historical figures such as Cleopatra and Catherine the Great believed to have worn them. St. Edward’s Crown is without doubt, the centrepiece of all the Coronation regalia for British monarchs, and is the crown which is placed on a new monarch’s head at the moment of crowning. Dating back to 1661, the crown is adorned with 444 precious stones, including amethysts. Today, Queen Camilla has often been photographed wearing a heart-shaped amethyst and pearl necklace given to her by her mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth II, which was originally a wedding present from Queen Alexandra to the Queen Mother in 1923.
Amethyst jewellery from Hemswell Antique Centres
At Hemswell Antique Centres, our antique jewellery dealers have a fine array of antique amethyst jewellery. Gold amethyst jewellery suits everyone, and yellow gold and amethyst are a match made in heaven. The warm tone of yellow gold makes the amethyst’s purple colour really pop, while white gold and platinum will add a contemporary twist to antique or vintage amethyst jewellery piece. So if you are looking for amethyst jewellery gifts, why not pay us a visit – you’ll be spoilt for choice!