Amethyst, with its captivating purple hues, has been admired for centuries. Once reserved for royalty and the elite, this gemstone is now more accessible, making it a popular choice for jewelry and collections. If you’re considering purchasing amethyst, understanding its value is essential. This guide explores the factors influencing amethyst prices and helps you determine how much amethyst is worth.
The Enduring Appeal of Amethyst
Amethyst’s allure extends beyond its beauty. Throughout history, amethyst has been associated with various meanings and powers.
Historical Significance
In ancient times, amethyst symbolized royalty, authority, and even protection. Catholic bishops wear amethyst rings as a symbol of their office, tracing back to the High Priest’s attire in biblical times. The ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent drunkenness, while later cultures viewed it as protection against disease. In Chinese Feng Shui, amethyst is believed to attract wealth.
Modern-Day Appeal
Today, amethyst remains a popular birthstone for February. Many believe it possesses the power to clear the mind and enhance productivity. Regardless of the attributed meanings, amethyst’s sustained popularity contributes to its value compared to other semi-precious stones.
Understanding Amethyst: Composition and Characteristics
At its core, amethyst is a variety of quartz (silicon dioxide) distinguished by its purple color. Quartz, like other minerals, exhibits a spectrum of colors, with amethyst being among the most valuable.
Formation and Color
Pure quartz crystals are colorless. Amethyst’s signature purple hue results from iron impurities and natural irradiation within surrounding rocks. The intensity of the purple can vary, and under specific conditions, bi-colored crystals called ametrine can form. High-quality faceted amethysts possess smooth, light-reflecting surfaces, resembling gleaming metal.
Key Factors Influencing Amethyst Pricing
The worth of amethyst, like other gemstones, hinges on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of the primary elements affecting amethyst prices:
Color
While all amethyst is purple, variations in shade exist. Darker amethyst gemstones generally command higher prices, provided they don’t appear black in dim lighting. The value difference between darker (“Siberian”) and lighter (e.g., “Rose de France”) amethyst can be significant, with darker stones fetching 3-5 times the price.
Color uniformity is another critical factor. Inconsistent color distribution within an amethyst crystal can lower its value. Ideal amethysts exhibit consistent color throughout.
Clarity
Amethyst occurs in varying clarity grades. Most faceted amethysts are “eye-clean,” meaning no significant inclusions or flaws are visible without magnification. Amethyst with noticeable imperfections is generally not used for faceted jewelry.
Translucent amethyst, however, can be fashioned into cabochons—polished, rounded shapes often incorporated into jewelry. Lower-quality amethyst may also be used to create gemstone beads for more affordable jewelry options.
Carat Weight
As with most gemstones, larger amethysts tend to be more expensive. However, amethyst doesn’t exhibit a dramatic price increase per carat as the stone size increases, unless you’re purchasing an exceptionally large specimen.
Cut
The quality of the cut significantly impacts a gemstone’s brilliance and overall appeal. A well-cut amethyst will maximize light reflection and showcase its color effectively. While the shape of the cut may have a lesser impact on the overall price, certain cuts like round brilliant can be more expensive due to the amount of rough material wasted during the cutting process. The popularity of round cuts also contributes to their higher price point. Oval cuts, another popular choice, tend to be less expensive. Other cuts, similar to those found in diamonds, and specialized “fantasy cuts” can also be used.
Amethyst Grading and Cost
The price of amethyst depends heavily on its grade, which is largely determined by color and clarity. Cut and carat weight play a secondary role.
- AA Grade: These stones may exhibit lighter color or have some visible inclusions.
- AAA Grade: AAA amethysts are typically eye-clean with rich color. They might have some degree of color zoning.
- AAAA Grade: These are exceptional amethysts, possessing rich, even color and being eye-clean. They are very rare and thus more valuable.
Treatments and Synthetic Amethyst
Gemstone treatments are used to enhance color, reduce inclusions or transform it into another type of gemstone. Amethyst is sometimes heat-treated to lighten excessively dark stones or to transform it into citrine or green quartz. Unless a very dark stone is lightened to the ideal “Siberian” shade, these treatments have little bearing on value. A reputable jeweler or gemologist will disclose any treatments.
Lab-created amethysts share the same chemical composition and structure as natural amethysts. Due to the relatively low cost of natural amethyst, synthetic versions are not as prevalent in the market. However, synthetic amethysts possess minimal resale value.
Amethyst Rings: Pricing Examples
At With Clarity, amethyst rings set in 14-karat white, yellow, or rose gold range in price from $400 to $4,000, featuring stones up to 3.05 carats. These rings may include a single amethyst or multiple stones, and some styles are accented with diamonds.
Ready to explore amethyst jewelry? Contact With Clarity by phone at 1(844)-234-6463 or email at [email protected]. Their gemologists are available to assist you with your selection.
