Amethyst is easily the most popular type of crystalline quartz in fine jewelry. One of the planet’s most ubiquitous minerals, quartz is also the source of citrine. For thousands of years, purple amethysts have been fashioned into everything from beads to amulets. In the 19th century, Victorian Era jewelers set amethysts into their necklaces, earrings, and brooches. By the 1930s, the stones had become to go-to gems in Art Deco jewelry.
Thought to ward off drunkenness, amethysts range in color from deep violet purples to pale lavenders. Vividly colored stones are called Siberian amethysts regardless of where they were mined. The Ural Mountains continue to be one of the primary sources of the best gems, which shift from purple to red under artificial light. Stones with bluish tints are found in Madagascar and Hungary, while reddish ones are common to mines in North Carolina and Mexico.
Lightly colored stones, which are sometimes referred to as Uruguayan amethysts, are often heat-treated to mimic the look of a dark citrine. In fact, most of the citrine on the ma...
Because richly and uniformly colored amethysts are comparatively rare, gem cutters will sometimes use the tricks of their trade to make what little color might be in a particular stone go as far as possible. A tactic of jewelers is to back a stone with foil, so the additional reflected light can enhance its meager hue.
Interviews & Articles
Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]
Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]
Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]
Jewel History

Since March of 2007, readers of Lori Ettlinger Gross’s JewelHistory blog have been treated to her weekly (sometim… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Fine Jewelry
- American Society of Jewelry Historians
- Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts
- Society of Jewellery Historians
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