Is Amethyst Expensive? (Read This First!)

In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating world of amethyst prices, exploring the factors that contribute to its cost and how it compares to other precious gems like diamonds and gold. Let us embark on this journey of discovery to uncover the secrets behind the value of amethyst.

Is Amethyst Expensive?

Amethyst is a relatively affordable gemstone, especially when compared to other precious stones such as diamonds or rubies.

The cost of an amethyst will vary depending on its size, color, clarity, and cut.

Generally, small, low-quality amethysts can be found for just a few dollars per carat. However, larger, more vibrantly colored, and more flawless amethysts will be more expensive.

Amethysts that have been cut into complex or unusual shapes will also command a higher price.

Changes in Amethyst Historical Values

Before the 18th century, amethyst was one of the five most sought-after gemstones due to its rarity, and even royalty were avid fans of it.

It is said that during the reign of Julius Caesar in Rome, amethyst was a holy relic, and Julius Caesar was so fond of it that he sent thousands of workers to the mines of the Urals in search of amethyst.

It was believed that amethyst was a magical stone, and that its purple glow could bring good luck and hope. To this day, amethyst rings are worn solemnly by the bishops of the Roman church during the feast. The amethyst has become an essential object of worship.

By the time of medieval Europe, European soldiers believed that amethyst could be used as an amulet to protect them from harm in battle, so it meant peace and health at the time.

Its noble color made amethyst a favorite of European royalty. Queen Elizabeth II had a complete collection of Kent Amethyst, a set of jewelry dating back to the time of Queen Victoria, who inherited it from her mother, the Duchess of Kent, making it a true royal heirloom. The amethyst jewelry set is said to include three brooches, a necklace, a pair of earrings and a comb, but previously Queen Elizabeth often wore only one amethyst brooch.

Amethyst was also one of Queen Silvia of Sweden’s most worn stones. Sylvia had an amethyst necklace born in the early 19th century transformed into a crown, which she intended to pass on to her daughter.

Before the New Road was opened, amethyst was produced mainly in Russia, where it was difficult for Europeans to obtain in small quantities, and the royal love for it and the public’s desire to follow it led to it becoming extremely expensive and surpassing diamonds.

It was not until many new deposits of amethyst were discovered in South America that the scarcity of amethyst was broken and the price of amethyst fell dramatically.

Amethyst has now become a relatively common and widespread gemstone, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to own a good quality amethyst!

Learn more about the history of amethyst:

How much does amethyst cost？

The cost of an amethyst can range from a few dollars to several thousands of dollars. The following are general price range for different sizes and qualities of amethysts:

• Small, low-quality amethysts: $1-$5 per carat
• Medium-sized, medium-quality amethysts: $5-$20 per carat
• Large, high-quality amethysts: $20-$500 per carat
• Exquisite amethysts: over $500 per carat.

Cheap vs Expensive Amethyst

There are a few factors that can contribute to the cost of an amethyst. These factors include:

• Color: The best amethyst color is a vibrant purple or reddish-purple, neither too pale nor so dull as to appear overly saturated with color. In addition, obvious color zoning can reduce the value of amethyst, and other stray colors such as brown can detract even more from it. The best way to determine the color of an amethyst is to place it on a white background so that the color can be identified.
• Clarity: Amethysts with no visible flaws, and no other associated minerals are usually more expensive than amethysts with visible flaws.
• Cut: In addition to the various standard shapes and cuts, including round, oval, and pear, it is also popular to cut amethyst into various free-form shapes, either by hand or by automated cutting. Fantasy Cuts or Designer Cuts, for example, can be used for both mass production and to create unique jewelry styles.
• Carat: Larger amethysts are often more expensive than smaller amethysts. But unlike diamonds, the price difference between carats is not very significant.

Here is a comparison of cheap vs expensive amethyst:

• Cheap amethyst: Cheap amethyst is typically small, low-quality stones that have visible flaws. These stones are often used in costume jewelry or for decorative purposes.

• Expensive amethyst: Expensive amethyst is typically large, high-quality stones that have no visible flaws. These stones are often used in fine jewelry or for investment purposes.

What Color Amethyst is Most Valuable?

The most valuable color of amethyst is a deep, rich purple. There is a type of amethyst found in Russia, also known as Siberian amethyst, that is very dark in color, with red and blue hues. Siberian amethysts are rare, so they tend to be very expensive.

Color	Cut	Price (Per Carat)
Siberian	Faceted	$20 to $100
Dark	Cabochon	$15 to $20
Medium	Faceted	$10 to $30
Medium	Cabochon	$2 to $10
Light	Faceted	$1 to $20

Most Expensive Amethyst Crystal

There is no official record of the most expensive amethyst crystal.

In 1947, Cartier created a very beautiful amethyst necklace for the Duchess of Windsor, which was sold at Sotheby’s Geneva for $605,000 after the Duchess’ death.

Kim Kardashian just recently “snagged” the amethyst pendant once worn by Princess Diana at a Sotheby’s auction in London for £163,800.

Usually the larger the amethyst, the more expensive it is. Here are some records of super-sized crystals:

• “The Empress of Uruguay” is a majestic 11-foot-tall, 5,500 pounds weight amethyst geode, which was discovered in the Artigas region in northern Uruguay. (Someone was prepared to pay $190,000 to buy it from The Crystal caves museum in Australia, but the museum didn’t agree.)
• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest amethyst geode weighs 28,660 lb and is 3 m (9 ft 10 in) long, 1.8 m (5 ft 10 in) wide and 2.2 m (7 ft 2 in) high. It is displayed in Shandong Tianyu Museum of Natural History (China).
• A recently discovered Uruguayan amethyst crystal currently located at the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens in Byron Bay, Australia, weighs over 44,000 pounds. It is a staggering 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. It is known as the “Enchanted Cave” and is said to have been discovered by a farmer in Artigas, Uruguay.

Is Amethyst More Expensive Than Diamonds?

No, amethyst is not more expensive than diamonds. Diamonds are the most valuable gemstone in the world and are usually much more expensive than amethyst.

However, there are some rare and valuable amethysts that can be worth more than some diamonds.

Is Amethyst More Expensive Than Gold?

No. Gold is a precious metal that is used in jewelry and other decorative items. It is usually much more expensive than amethyst.

Conclusion

Amethyst is a beautiful and precious gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewelry and other decorative items. The price of amethyst varies depending on a number of factors, but in general, it is less expensive than diamonds and gold.

Source:

https://www.daviddouglas.com/blog-post/the-empress-of-uruguay-is-a-majestic-11-foot-tall-25-ton-example-of-februarys-birthstone

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-amethyst-geode

https://www.crystalcastle.com.au/see-and-do/shambhala-gardens/crystal-guardians/