Varieties, Imitations, and Mining Sources of Amethyst

Shinjyu Jewelry Company - Arden Arcade, Sacramento 95825

An Amethyst gemstone must display in a pleasing range of purple. Otherwise you are looking at a purple quartz gemstone.

VARIETIES OF AMETHYST

SIBERIAN or URAL AMETHYST - color range from deep purplish red to red-purple. The term originally referred to the geographic location from which the Amethyst was mined but is now generally a trade name for this color range.

BAHIA AMETHYST - generally a lighter violet tone of Amethyst, more often reddish and smoky in appearance. This variety is mined in Bahia, Brazil.

RUTILATED AMETHYST - This variety is rare. Rutilated Amethyst actually has goethite inclusions which seem to be rutile.

SPANISH AMETHYST - This is a fine purple amethyst of unknown origin which has been marketed through Spain.

ROSE DE FRANCE - A pale lilac hue of Amethyst is sometimes called by this name.

OTHER GEMSTONES SOLD AS AMETHYST

Sometimes gemstones that are sold as amethyst are not amethyst at all.:

"BENGAL AMETHYST" is a purple sapphire.

"BURNT AMETHYST" is an artificially colored yellow transparent quartz, which is changed in color by heating it to the point that it appears to be a natural amethyst with a brownish undertone.

"LILIA AMETHYST" is really the gemstone Kunzite.

"GREEN AMETHYST" is properly termed "green quartz".

SYNTHETIC AMETHYST can be found on the market.

You can be assured that Mitsuko uses only natural Amethyst in her jewelry creations.

MINING SOURCES

Arizona in the Four Peaks Region - can produce a fine moderately strong purple amethyst.

Georgia in the Jackson Crossroads area - can produce a luscious "grape jelly" purple.

Bahia, a territory in Brazil.

Brazil - a medium colored amethyst.

Colorado - a deep-toned amethyst.

India - a deep-toned amethyst.

Mexico.

Montana -celestial type crystals.

Namibia

Oregon - a pale lavender amethyst.

Siberia - a deeply-colored amethyst.

South Africa - very deep, doubly terminated crystals.

Uraguay - a deep-colored amethyst which might be fine.

Vera Cruz - light, doubly terminated crystals.

LINK - Main Amethyst page.

LINK - Portal to Jewelry Galleries

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SHINJYU JEWELRY COMPANY
Arden-Arcade

Sacramento CA 95825
telephone: 916 978-9065
www.shinjyujewelry.com

Parking: Free

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