Jewellery & Watch News
We can’t think of a better time to introduce the beautiful, lilac quartz stone. It is the February birthstone after all. Amethyst is known for its striking violet colour and regularly faceted finish that brings calm and peace to all that wear it. Delicate, elegant and distinctive, our Amethyst collection is the perfect gift for those born in February or those who are fans of one of the most popular gems around.
All About Amethyst
It’s a powerful stone that is know to heal. A symbol of sincerity, security and peace of mind. Amethyst derives from the Greek word améthystos and translates to ‘not intoxicated.’ The purple variety of quartz has been used in jewellery for over 2000 years and can be found in many locations across the globe such as Brazil, Uruguay, Canada and France to name a few.
Amethyst is durable making it perfect for us to handcraft into stunning earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces that last. The beautiful hue ranges greatly from a dark opaque shade to a light lilac colour. It takes on many personalities that are both rich and vivid or subtle and pale. Amethyst actually gets its signature colour during crystal growth where small amounts of iron are included in the quartz. Once crystallised, gamma rays, released by the host rock irradiate the iron to make the violet colour. You may have noticed that in one piece of Amethyst the colour can vary dramatically, which is known in the industry as ‘colour zoning.’ This is due to different amounts of iron being incorporated into the crystal during growth. The darker the shade the more iron is present.
Whitby Jet and Amethyst
As you probably already know, Whitby Jet’s our thing with it washing up right here on the Yorkshire coastline. It’s always nice to work with other gems that compliment our local stone and Amethyst does just that. So for those looking for something a little different to add to their jewellery collection, our contemporary Whitby Jet and Amethyst collection is for you.
Baltic Amber and Amethyst
It’s a combination that you wouldn’t always think to put together but it works! The fiery orange of Amber paired with the purple of Amethyst contrasts beautifully creating a piece of jewellery that truly stands out from the crowd! Brighten up your jewellery collection with a unique, one-of-a-kind design that features two very different gems. We love experimenting to see the outcome and this time we’ve got it just right.
Georg Jensen
Our favourite Scandinavian brand does Amethyst well. Their approach to a cool, Nordic design aesthetic allows for the violet gemstone to take centre stage. Both eye-catching and minimal, the beautiful pieces create a kaleidoscope effect when the light hits the faceted edges. In particular, we love the Savannah collection that brings warmth, elegance and sophistication to everything that you do.
Take Care of Your Amethyst Jewellery
Measuring at 7 on the MOH scale Amethyst is tough! That being said as with any gemstone you have to look after your jewellery to avoid any scratches or damage. Storing in a dark place, like a jewellery box, is perfect as it is neatly tucked away from harm and any direct sunlight, which over time can cause fading if left in direct exposure for a long period of time. Whilst participating in sports or activities make sure that you take off your Amethyst jewellery to avoid any unnecessary impact.
Genuine Amethyst
Violet gems are in high demand! Always make sure that you are buying a genuine piece of Amethyst and not a lookalike. Some convincing imitations are purple glass, purple synthetic corundum and Nanosital. To avoid falling for the copycats it’s important that you buy from a retailer that you trust, like us!
