Amethyst Archives - Knox Jewelers

Gemstone Spotlight

Amethyst-Ring Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers’ Custom Monarch Design

The mineral quartz includes a diverse family of gemstones including the violet hued variety, amethyst. This gemstone’s coloring can range from the desirable saturated darker purples and reddish purples to lighter grayish lavender tints. Naturally occurring irradiation and a trace amount of iron present in amethyst’s crystal structure causes its violet color.

Throughout history this gemstone has been a favorite amongst royalty, decorating kings and queens in the color of nobility. At one time amethyst was as expensive as ruby or emerald until the late 19th century when vast deposits of the gemstone were discovered in Brazil. The country is still producing beautiful amethyst and is one of the most important sources of the gemstone. Today, amethyst is most commonly known as the birthstone tied to the month of February.

Color zoning is very common in rough amethyst crystals. This means amethyst grows with distinct bands of darker and lighter shades of purple within the same crystal. The darkest, most saturated purple is usually present at the tips of the formation while the rest of the crystals fades to light violet and colorless. There will be very few vibrant purple faceted gemstone compared to lighter options once the crystal is cut and polished.

Amethyst rates a gemstone hardness of 7 on the Mohs Scale. It is not as durable as sapphire or diamonds, so if you choose to set an amethyst into one of our custom ring settings, it would need to be worn with care and might not be suitable for everyday jewelry. However, this mysterious deep violet amethyst shown here would make a stunning one-of-a-kind right hand ring. This amethyst option is currently featured on our online gemstone list, and is just waiting to be made into a custom created masterpiece!

Take a cue from kings and queens throughout history and let us at Knox Jewelers help you design a custom created piece of jewelry holding this marvelous deep violet amethyst. Visit our online gemstone list and view all of our available amethyst options!

Amethyst Unique Engagement Rings — Round Cut Amethyst

Where is Amethyst Found?

Amethyst-Map Unique Engagement Rings — GIA Amethyst Map

Amethyst, the violet variety of the mineral quartz, is the gemstone coupled to the month of February. Every species of quartz, and there are several, posses similar crystal formations and physical properties, but differ in chemical composition. The gemstone amethyst is a purple tinted quartz and owes its color to irradiation and trace elements of iron in its crystal structure.

Amethyst can occur in hues from light pinkish violet to deep purple, but the finest color of amethyst is considered a strong reddish medium toned purple.

Amethyst can be found in large geodes within sedimentary and volcanic rock. A quartz geode forms when large crystal grow in an open space or cavity inside a rock formation. Listed below are the locations where amethyst naturally occurs and is mined to be transformed into beautifully faceted gemstones.

United States – The Four Peaks Mine in Arizona produces fine-colored amethyst crystals. Deposits have also been found in Colorado, Texas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maine and reigns close to Lake Superior.
Uruguay – Fine-color amethyst comes from Artigas, Uruguay, near the border of Brazil.
Brazil – Brazil is a leading amethyst producer, with mines in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Para, and Bahia. Large quantities of amethyst formations are found in geodes within the volcanic rock of Brazil.
Zambia – Zambia is one of the largest global producers of amethyst. Crystal found here can display the gem’s finest colors.

If amethyst is your gem of choice, let us at Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to showcase this beautiful gemstone. The possibility are endless with a mineral available in so many sizes, shapes and hues of violet. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful amethyst is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and lets get started. We have a vast selection of amethyst just waiting to be transformed!

Amethyst – February’s Regal Birthstone

Amethyst, the stunning February birthstone, has a rich historical legacy that fits its elegance and regal nature. It is also steadily gaining in popularity as customers forgo diamonds as the center stone for their engagement rings for more personalized options, such as birthstones. At Knox Jewelers, we have crafted a plethora of unique amethyst jewelry for our customers, and this lovely stone looks fantastic in a variety of media and designs. Without further ado, let us take a look at the history and lore surrounding amethyst, as well as give you a tour of some of our exquisite custom designs that would look great with an amethyst center stone.

The History of Amethyst

The history of amethyst is one steeped in rich lore and symbolism, and its historical roots extend into the past for thousands of years. The color of amethyst is often a rich combination of red and purple hues – that’s why the ancient Greeks associated the stone with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine making, and other revelries. Throughout the ages, amethyst has come to be associated with different gods and symbols to fit the culture and context of the times. The royal and noble families of many European nations also incorporate amethyst stones into their heirloom jewels, thus giving amethyst a certain sense of prestige that can only come from a royal inheritance.

An Overview of Amethyst

Amethyst is a variety of quartz that is well-regarded and known for its purple and red color. Depending on the specific sample, the color can incorporate more tones of red or purple, thus giving amethyst many different possible shades and combinations. Furthermore, amethyst is a prime example of an attribute unique to certain stones called “color zoning.” The phenomenon of color zoning involves different sections (zones) of the stone exhibiting darker or lighter shades, thereby giving the stone a dynamic visual appearance. Truly, amethyst is one of the most stunning purple-colored gemstones in existence.

How to Choose an Amethyst Stone

There are a few different factors of quality you ought to keep in mind when choosing an amethyst stone. The most highly valued and prized amethyst stones are those who have the right balance of red and purple and produce no color zoning. In addition, the presence of brown tints can decrease the value of a particular sample. As for clarity, amethyst follows the pattern for many other stones by deriving more value from inclusion-free samples, though there are a few exceptions to this rule. Finally, there are a variety of custom designer cuts that can give an amethyst stone a signature look and feel – let us know if this is an option you are potentially interested in.

Taking Proper Care of Amethyst Jewelry

Caring for your amethyst jewelry is a relatively simple process. You’ll want to exercise caution and common sense by removing your ring prior to engaging in activities which could potentially expose it to physical or chemical damage. Cleaning an amethyst stone is a matter of gently scrubbing with a soft-bristled toothbrush in a solution of warm, soapy water.

Amethyst Engagement Rings at Knox Jewelers

At Knox Jewelers, crafting stunning custom engagement rings is what we do best. We will work together with you to design a unique engagement ring that successfully incorporates your design touches and a personalized character. Let’s take a look now at a couple of designs to help you acquire an idea of how an amethyst stone could look with one of our beautiful rings:

Bonita

Our Bonita design features hand engraving, filigree, and milgrain texturing in addition to a 1.30 carat round brilliant cut center stone. An amethyst stone would look absolutely stunning in conjunction with these design features and the 14k white gold band.

Design 2231

To demonstrate how versatile and beautiful amethyst can look in any context, take a look at our Design 2231 ring. Imagine combining the lovely accent diamonds with a 0.90 carat cushion cut amethyst center stone along with the 14k yellow-white gold band.

Get In Touch

If you would like to learn more about amethyst engagement rings and how to best incorporate this beautiful birthstone in your own jewelry, get in touch with us today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we look forward to talking to you soon!