Quartz is a very well known gem species, with variations in many different color ranges and phenomena. The jewelry trade has seen its forefront designers make use of this gem in a wide diversity of designs and carvings. Now, two of the most popular quartz variants come into the spotlight for us to examine and talk about.

 

Amethyst is the purple variety of the quartz species. It's been hailed as the world's most popular purple and violet gem for as long as anyone can remember, at one point in time- even matching the fine reputation of ruby, sapphire and emerald.

Nowadays, amethyst has held its popularity, although with the advent of widely emerging sources in brazil and other countries, its value has become more commercial compared to diamonds or the big three colored stone varieties.

Its color is caused by exposure to the earth's natural radiation, and the presence of iron trace element atoms. Without these factors, the crystal would just be regular SiO2, or colorless quartz.

Heating amethyst alters its internal atomic structure, creating a amber brown or yellowish color, and decreasing or diminishing the crystal's pleochroism.



Citrine is the golden yellow variety of quartz, and a majority of its demand is now being filled by the production of heated amethyst crystals from Brazil. Despite the moderate availability of natural citrine, the golden yellow hues produced by treated amethyst seem to appeal more significantly to many buyers in the trade today.

There is debate among the gemstone buying societies as to whether heated amethyst should be called "citrine" or not, as some would still feel that "treated" amethyst or even "baked amethyst" is more accurate a term.

The price and supply of this heated material also remains to be the number one factor in its usage for Citrine market demand. Some treaters even segregate the heating area of an amethyst crystal, producing a bi-colored purple and yellow variant called ametrine.



Ametrine can be found in nature, especially in specific localities in Bolivia, however a majority of those you see being used for jewelry are a product of partially heating amethyst specimens.

Citrine, as a gemstone is favored by many Asian cultures because of its golden color. People seem to associate its bright yellow hue with fortune and monetary abundance. Wealth is factor often tied to the possession of gemstones, and gold is another material people would often link with the two.

Citrine's vivid, and almost aureate appearance lends to its importance in eastern beliefs and practices like feng shui. In contrast, amethyst's depth of purple color has allowed it to gain affluence in the past- as a royal gemstone, signifying nobility, trust and sobriety.

External Image credits to T. Spann & L. Morganston

Amethyst is the violet to reddish-purple variety of quartz. Its name is derived from the Greek word amethystos, which roughly translates to "remedy from intoxication" referring to a long lost belief that stones protected their wearers from becoming drunk after taking wine.




It's currently the most popular purple gemstone collected worldwide by jewelry owners and gemstone afficionados. Despite its current affordability on the markets however, Amethyst at one point was as rare and valuable as ruby, sapphire and emerald. It wasn't until the 18th century and the discovery of large amethyst geodes in the mines of Minas Gerais (Brazil), that the stone's supply skyrocketed internationally. This may have brought prices to more normal levels, but it also allowed this beautiful gem to reach every little corner of the world, lending its appreciative beauty to many different societies and cultures.

Amethyst is the designated gemstone for the entire month of February. Its deep and affectionate purplish hue is simply perfect for the incoming Valentines' day romance.

People from Metro Manila love using amethyst as a favored gemstone in their bracelets, beads and even rings. Some of the older texts on crystal beliefs and gemstone healing, suggest that amethyst is believed to increase nobility and spiritual awareness in a person. It's contact with the wearer's skin was also said to impart healing properties that cured general ailments and insomnia.

All quartz varieties, including amethyst and its cousin Citrine, exhibit piezoelectric properties. This means that when a crystal is subjected to a certain amount of force, movement or pressure, its structure will release a tiny charge of electric energy, and vice versa. This fact was made extremely useful in many various industries, such as watch-making / horologie, due to the precision of the movements generated through the unique property.



Amethyst for the longest time, was a revered gemstone associated with royalty and exclusivity. Its color was paralleled by no other in the range, not even by purple sapphire. This led many jewelers to use it in their masterpiece creations, even after the Brazilian sources were found. Crystals tend to come in clear, almost eye-clean qualities, which is perfect for designer-cuts and modified faceting. Amethyst is now quickly becoming a favorite of modern gem-cutting artisans for its pure clarity and deep saturations.

A word of caution for collectors though, it might not be wise to expose your amethyst stones to very bright sources of light and heat. Amethyst's color comes from a complicated atomic defect associated with the iron impurities in its crystal lattice. Some people who want to change amethyst to Citrine, heat their crystals in specific controlled environments with precise temperatures. The fact remains however, that some exposure to strong heat / light may cause the stone's dark purple to fade lighter over long periods of time.

(Below is a picture of Bolivian ametrine, a bicolored crystal variety of quartz that's created by partially heating raw amethyst. Photo credit to Kingstone Gems.)