Brazilian amethyst geode displayed at the San Diego Natural History Museum |
Beauty: Most precious gemstones have striking color and brilliance. Transparent or translucent gemstones sparkle with color and light. This quality is enhanced by precise faceting which reflects light back to the observer. Amethyst passes this test.
Durability: In order for a mineral to be used as jewelry, it must be able to retain its polish and not fall apart from constant use. Almost all precious gemstones are MOHS scale hardness '7' or above. Precious opal is one exception, which is slightly softer than 7 on the MOHS scale. Diamonds are the hardest mineral, at 10 on the MOHS scale. Amethyst passes this test at 7 on the MOHS scale.
Rarity: The less available a stone is, the more valuable it becomes, as long as the above criteria of beauty and durability are met. With the discovery of extensive deposits in Brazil (see pic to left) and other locations, amethyst is now generally considered a semi-precious gemstone. This is good news if you cannot afford the Crown Jewels, since amethyst is now affordable for the 'rest of us'.
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