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Amethyst is a vivid purple or violet form of transparent quartz used as a gemstone. The transparent purple quartz is the most popular quartz variety used in jewelry. It was named after the Greek mythological maiden who was turned to stone by the God Dionysus and is characterized by vivid colors and large clean crystals that make beautiful gems. Amethyst is a beautiful gemstone available in a wide variety of cut and uncut stones, calibrated sizes and shapes, including many fancy shapes. Because of the patchyness of the color distribution in the crystals, amethyst is cut as brilliant round cuts to maximize the color. Amethyst can occur as long prismatic crystals that have a six sided pyramid at either end or can form as druzes that are crystalline crusts that only show the pointed terminations. As a mineral specimen, amethyst is popular for its color and nice crystal shapes that produce a handsome, purple, sparkling cluster. However, amethyst is not the same everywhere. Different localities can produce a unique amethyst to that particular region or even to that particular mine. The color range varies from pale lilac to deep purple. It is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina, Zambia, Namibia and other African countries. Very dark amethyst, mostly in small sizes, is also mined in Australia. |
