Amethyst A violet variety of quartz
Amber Ammonites
Sources
Amethyst comes from many places around the world, including Africa, South America, Russia, south-east Asia, China and even Cornwall. We source our rough amethyst geodes, cones and beds from Brazil, although significant amounts are from Uruguay but traded through Brazil.
Amethyst used in our jewellery settings comes additionally from a number of African countries and occasionally from elsewhere. The very deep/dark amethyst is commonly African, i.e., from South Africa, Zaire and Namibia. Stones are cut in many countries. We are presently using cutters in Jaipur (normally Muslim) and Hong Kong (China).
Origin
The finest amethyst forms in geodes (gas cavities) in volcanic rocks. Crystals that are part amethyst and part citrine are called ametrine.
Composition
Silicon dioxide SiO2 with iron.
Colour
Shades of purple, lilac and mauve, transparent, translucent and opaque.
Inclusions
Common.
Our View
"Amethyst was absolutely the key inspiration for me (Ray Mason) in our original vision for Crystals (UK) Ltd. The very first stone I bought for my personal collection was an amethyst from a healing room at a Yorkshire centre which was completely full of amethyst!
Our first shop in Torquay featured amethyst prominently, and it remains at the heart of Crystal UK's stock. A constant inspiration, it renews our raw enthusiasm for stones on a daily basis – and yes I do have a large geode in my bedroom!
Many staff feel that amethyst has played a large part in their lives. It is our belief that spreading amethyst has been an important part of our company’s purpose. Amethyst is one of our three major stones, the others being rose quartz and clear quartz.
Buying and selling amethyst has proved to be one of the most satisfying and fulfilling activities that I personally undertake in the running of Crystals (UK) Ltd."
- Month stones
- January - Garnet also Ruby
- February - Amethyst also Bloodstone
- March - Aquamarine also Jade
- April - Quartz also Opal
- May - Rose Quartz also Agate
- June - Pearl also Moonstone
- July - Ruby also Carnelian
- August - Peridot also Sardonyx
- September - Iolite also Lapis Lazuli
- October - Opal also Pink Tourmaline
- November - Topaz also Citrine
- December - Turquoise also Tanzanite
- Zodiac Stones
- Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Amber, Carnelian, Garnet, Onyx, Smoky Quartz, Turquoise
- Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Aquamarine, Amethyst, Amber, Celestite, Fluorite, Labradorite
- Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Moonstone, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Fluorite, Turquoise
- Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Ruby, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Kunzite
- Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) Azurite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Rhodonite, Tigers Eye
- Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) Chrysocolla, Citrine, Serpentine, Tourmalinated and Rutilated Quartz, Tiger's Eye
- Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) Moonstone, Pearl, Opal, Ruby, Moss Agate, Amber
- Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) Tiger's Eye, Ruby, Carnelian, Kunzite, Larimar, Rhodocrosite.
- Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Peridot, Amazonite, Citrine, Garnet, Moonstone, Opal
- Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) Iolite, Opal, Kunzite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot
- Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Topaz, Malachite, Charoite, Garnet, Obsidian
- Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Turquoise, Amethyst, Labradorite, Sugilite, Topaz, Garnet
- There are a few stones that are suitable for every Zodiac sign: Moldavite, Tourmaline, Clear Quartz and Herkimer Diamond.
