Amethyst's Color Range

Amethyst’s color range is from very pale to strong or very dark purple. The stronger or more intense the color, the more value it has. - Photo © GIA and Tino Hammid

Quartz Crystal

This amethyst crystal is from Namibia in Africa. It shows the classic quartz crystal shape: a six-sided crystal with a pyramid on top. - Photo by Valerie Power/GIA, courtesy Fine Minerals International - Daniel Trinchillo

Gem Art

Talented gem artists use amethyst for their creations. Note how the shape and cut in this gem makes the color stand out. - Photo by Lydia Dyer, gem courtesy of John Dyer & Co.

Ancient Necklace

This ancient necklace dates back to 2000 BC! An engraving in the center stone is South Arabian writing from the eighth century BC. - Photo taken from "Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World" by Lance Grande and Allison Augustyn, 2009, University of Chicago Press.

Volcanic Deposits

There are many large and available amethyst crystals from volcanic deposits. The deposits provide a steady supply for cut gems of all sizes. A deposit can form wherever there is a heavy buildup of a mineral.  - Photo by Eric Welch/GIA

Disks and Starbursts

Little disks and starbursts of goethite [go-thite], a type of mineral, are scattered across the inside of this Brazilian amethyst. - Photo courtesy Anthony de Goutière

Designer Cut

This is a 53.37-carat designer cut amethyst. Amethyst is a popular gemstone for artistic designer cuts. - Photo by Lydia Dyer, gem courtesy of John Dyer & Co.

Needle Inclusions

Deep red needles of hematite [hee-muh-tite], a type of mineral, are common inclusions in Nigerian amethyst. - Photo by John I. Koivula/GIA

A Tiger or Leopard?

This is ametrine, a gem from Brazil. Ametrine [ah-muh-treen] is a combination of the colors of citrine [sih-treen] and amethyst. The cutting style of this gem blends the colors to create the look of a tiger or leopard's coat. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy of Minerales y Metales del Oriente

Face-Down Amethyst

The different shades of color are more visible when you look at an amethyst face-down on a white background. The different shades are not as visible face-up. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA

Eye-Like Amethyst

This sparkling velvety purple amethyst is from Brazil. It almost looks like a purple eye! - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy of B. Davenport

Amethyst Today

Amethyst was once as valuable as emerald, ruby, and sapphire. Although it is still popular, find out why it is not as rare today.