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F A C
E T - N A T I O N |
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Amethyst |
Your Source of Information |
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THE LORE: The name is derived from
Greek meaning 'not drunken' as the stone was once attributed
with powers to prevent intoxication. The god Bacchus,
neglected by the goddess Diana, decided in a fit of spite that
tigers would devour the first person he met. The beautiful
maiden Amethyst crossed his path. When the beasts attacked
her, she called on Diana for protection, and the goddess
responded by turning her to stone. Penitent, Bacchus poured
wine over her petrified body, giving it its purple hue. |
| One of the first gemstones used by man,
Amethyst gave rise to a great many other legends. It was
thought to safeguard soldiers, ensure victory, aid hunters,
protect against diseases, control evil thoughts, quicken the
intelligence, and make its owner shrewd in |
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business. During
the middle ages many Kings and Queens had their chalices
carved from Amethyst Quartz so when consuming wine they would
not get drunk. Eventually, this led to the association of
Purple with the color of royalty.
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THE PRICE: Up, up and away! The price
of top quality Amethyst has continued to soar for the last 18
months. Price increases of 60 - 70% for "gem material”
are not uncommon. Even the less intense shades, if clean, have |
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risen 20-30%. Mining problems in Brazil, the fall of the US
dollar against world currencies and increased demand from the
American jewelry industry have all contributed to the increase
in price. |
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With the introduction of the Japanese
reconstructed (JR) Amethyst ten years ago most gem dealers
expected the price of Amethyst to fall. Instead, increase
demand came from those people desiring The Real Thing! The
introduction of JR forced many gem dealers to test more of the
rough, be more sure of their sources and purchase from a
continually diminishing supply.
Composition: Quartz Hardness: 7 Specific
Gravity: 2.65 Refractive Index: 1.54 – 1.55
Enhancements: Quench-crackling (heating & then
cooling quickly) to produce iridescent effects or allow dyes
to penetrate. Irradiation, Heat Treatment, Coating or foil
backs, Dyeing, Bleaching.
Stability: Reaction to Heat - Stones may fracture when
subjected to abrupt changes in temperature, strong heat may
alter or destroy color. Reaction to Chemicals: Soluble
in hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride
Cleaning Methods: Ultrasonic - Usually safe Steam -
Risky Warm Soapy Water - Safe Synthetics: Produced by
the Hydrothermal Method and Japanese reconstruction |
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