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Jamming Gems Amethyst Info
Amethyst
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General Information:
The stunning violet
gemstone Amethyst, is the birthstone for the month of February. Amethyst is
also the gemstone that is symbolic of the 4th and 6th wedding anniversaries.
The name amethyst comes from the Greek word amethustos which means
not drunken. It was named for its similar color to wine. Early Greeks
also believed that drinking wine from an amethyst cup would prevent
intoxication. Historically the color purple represents royalty, so it should
come at no suprise that this violet hued semi-precious gemstone can be seen in
a variety of royal possesions. Amethyst can be found naturally in colors
ranging from light lilac to deep purple. Top quality amethyst is a deep medium
purple with red and blue flashes.
Amethyst is a type of quartz. The chemical composition is, SiO2 (Silicon
Dioxide). The vibrant purple/violet color comes from iron impurities (approx:
40 parts per million). The difference between amethyst and citrine is the
oxidized state of the iron impurities found in the quartz. When amethyst is
heated it becomes green, yellow, reddish-orange (citrine), or colorless. This
heating occurs naturally or synthetically. When the gemstone is tested for
treatment or heating, there is no way to determine in what way the heating
occurred.
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Origin:
Amethyst can be found in Brazil, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Madagascar,
Bolivia, Canada, Russia, Namibia, Sri Lanka, India, United States (Arizona),
Uruguay, and Zambia. |
Common Treatments and Lab Created
Forms:
Amethyst is heat treated to enhance or change the color. Heat treating amethyst
will cause it to turn yellow, red-brown, green or colorless. This heat
treatment is used to make amethyst change into citrine which is a more rare
form of the quartz mineral. Scientists have accomplished manufacturing a lab
created form of amethyst, which is identical to the natural mineral in
composition. Other than natural and lab created, there is also simulated
amethyst, which is made from glass and colored to resemble natural amethyst.
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Physical Properties:
Moh's Scale Hardness: 7
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Refractive Index: 1.544-1.553
Fracture: conchoidal
Crystal system: (Trigonal), hexagonal prisms
Colors: Purple, violet, pale red-violet
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