Your guide to Amethyst

Amethyst

Amethysts are loved by many for their stunning purple colour. They are a purple variety of the mineral quartz.

Amethyst can be surprisingly inexpensive to buy especially compared to other gemstones such as sapphires and rubies. While used in jewellery, large pieces can often be found used as ornaments such as paperweights. The quality can vary immensely as can the colouration, the best piece to be bought can sometimes be a case of which piece you find most attractive.

Amethyst is regarded as the traditional birthstone for February.

The largest amethyst found in north America, was discovered in north Carolina, measures 2 x 2 x 1 ft wide and weighs 165 pounds.