Amethyst is a transparent, coarse-grained, purple variety of quartz (SiO2) and has long been one of the most prized gem of the quartz family. On the Mohs scale amethyst stands on the hardness level of 7. Higher the level of hardness, better the chances of the gemstone’s resistance to scratches and abrasion. Also, the chemical structure of amethyst makes it very tough, helping in resistance to breaking, chipping and cracking. The hardness of this gemstone combined with the toughness makes amethyst a great choice for jewelry.
The presence of manganese in quartz gives amethyst its color, while the presence of additional iron content results in the different hues. The pale hues of an amethyst are sometimes called "Rose de France" and can be seen set in Victorian jewelry. The deep colors are the most valuable, particularly a rich purple with rose flashes.
Amethyst is available in a wide variety of calibrated sizes and shapes.
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