Amethysts - From Deep Russian to the Empress of Uruguay and Australian hoodlums.
Some fun bits about amethysts or a deeper look. USE PICS 7274 6965 7140 5197
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Today, amethysts don't have the high value status that they did in previous centuries, so frauds and fakes are not big issues. However, it is worth noting that there are stones that can look like amethysts. On more than one occasion, I've been misled by a really purple garnet, called rhodolite garnet, which can look exactly like an amethyst.
Recently discovered in Africa, purple tourmalines can also flummox most people. Until quite recently, they were extremely rare, so if you are looking at antique jewelry, this should not be a problem. On the very high end of the value spectrum, there are purple sapphires, alexandrites that can be purplish in certain light and even, rarest of all, purple diamonds. One potential problem for the beginner or uninitiated, is purple glass. During the 19th century, cameos and other jewelry were often made of glass in imitation of amethysts. A decent loupe or magnifying glass might show you bubbles and an honest dealer will always divulge the true nature of the material.
What is a Deep Russian?
We discussed the value and price of amethysts over the last two weeks and learned that it largely depends on the depth of color. In the case of amethysts, size is not so important as amethysts often come in large sizes.
Pale amethysts have low value, but the deep purple Siberian amethysts, sometimes called 'Deep Russian' are highly sought after and concomitantly more expensive.
Note: the darker the better, especially if they have gleam and flash, but when amethysts get so dark that no light flows and flashes, they become dull and boring.
#6965 Retro ring.
Possibly The most famous amethyst jewelry is known as the Napoleonic Amethyst Parure. This fabulous set of antique amethyst jewelry started out with the Empress Josephine (Napoleon's first wife), given to her daughter-in-law and landed up as part of the Swedish royal family's treasures. The Swedish royal family are all descended from Napoleon's compadre, Bernadotti, who, like Napoleon's siblings, was presented with a European throne - in this case, Sweden. His descendents are still, to this day, Sweden's royal family. The internet is awash with pictures of members of this royal family wearing the set of amethyst jewels or parts of it.
Another famous tiara was given by the Czar of Russia to his sister-in-law, Queen Alexandra of Britain. If you look up pictures of this tiara, you will be astonished by the sheer size and intensity of color of the 6 amethysts set in this crown. Interestingly for us plebs, this item, along with a number of other pieces originally owned by Queen Alexandra, such as her spectacular amethyst necklace, came onto the open market when one of her descendants auctioned them off in 2007. They have since been sold again and who knows: you might get a chance to own something so spectacular. Are your pockets deep enough?
There are many other famous amethysts, including a set owned by the late Queen Elizabeth II of England. What makes these jewels stand out is not only their provenance, but their amazing deep color. No wonder purple is considered the color of royalty.
#7140 fabulous Art Deco amethyst ring 
The biggest amethyst in the world is called The Empress of Uruguay, because that is where she was found. Weighing in at 2.5 tons, it was packed up like a tiny, fragile baby and shipped, at great expense to Australia, where at further great expense, it was transported to a museum called Crystal Caves and then gently unpacked and at much further expense, lifted by no less than two cranes and put into place. It is on view to the public, and people being people, Australians being Australians, a visitor broke off and stole a tennis-ball sized bit, but the remains are still record-breaking enormous.
#5197 enormous Iberian Georgian earrings
We have learned that while today, amethysts do not command the prices of previous centuries, they are no less spectacular. Perhaps this provides an opportunity for the beginner to start a jewelry collection with this beautiful gem.
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