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The beauty of amethyst comes at a price, and that price depends on several things. The most important factor is the color: deep, rich purples are the most valuable. Amethyst can also come in various crystal shapes, and some, like double-terminated crystals, are more prized by collectors.
Amethyst’s value factors are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. However, additional value factors are the absence of color zoning and heat treatment. Various crystal forms like double-terminated crystals or phantom inclusions can increase amethyst value. Amethyst geodes are highly valuable, either.
Amethyst is a captivating stone that often sparks a lifelong love of crystals in young collectors. Its vibrant purple hues can amaze even kids as young as 7 or 12, making it a popular first piece for many collections.
Further, you are welcome to learn the value factors of amethyst in detail. Who knows, maybe your old forgotten crystal has something to surprise you and evoke feelings of a young explorer like many years ago.
If you want to check out the best rock and mineral identification books, you can find them here (Amazon link).
Is Amethyst Worth Anything
For thousands of years, amethyst has been the most prized quartz variety. It accompanied kings, queens, and the highest-ranked bishops. In addition, there were periods when amethyst cost at the same levels as diamonds.
Amethyst is a stunning gemstone that’s been popular for centuries! While most amethysts are quite affordable, costing less than a hundred dollars, some special pieces can be much more valuable. This happens when the amethyst is part of a historical piece of jewelry, where its value comes from its history as much as its beauty.
Pear-cut amethyst. (Photo by Olena Rybnikova)
The discovery of Brazilian deposits flooded the world with beautiful amethysts and made them affordable to anyone. However, the abundance of good-quality amethyst crystals doesn’t mean it is worth anything.
Amethyst is used in mass-market jewelry and custom-designed pieces. It is one of the world’s most popular colored gems and the most commercially crucial gem-quality quartz.
How Much Is Amethyst Worth
One of the most common and affordable gemstones, amethyst prices for top-quality faceted gems can reach up to $50 per carat ($250 per gram). Occasionally, amethysts are sold for up to $100 per carat. Common amethyst crystals (2-5cm long) can be purchased for $1-10.
Why is Amethyst So Expensive? Main Factors
Amethyst is a beautiful gemstone that’s surprisingly affordable! This is because there are many good quality amethysts available, both rough crystals and cut stones. This abundance allows for precise cutting (calibration) which makes them perfect for mass-produced jewelry.
So, what makes one amethyst more valuable than another? Here’s the breakdown:**
- Color: Deep, rich purples are the most prized.
- Clarity: Fewer flaws and cracks make it more valuable.
- Cut: Well-cut amethysts sparkle more and are generally considered more valuable. Fancy cuts can also increase value.
- Size: Larger amethysts are generally more valuable.
- Crystal Form: Interesting shapes like double-terminated crystals can add value to collectors, but evenly colored stones are preferred for jewelry.
- Heat Treatment: Natural color is more valuable than amethyst that’s been heat-treated.
It’s interesting to note that some factors can have opposite effects for collectors versus jewelers. For example, collectors might value a crystal with unique color zoning, while jewelers prefer a uniform color for easier matching in jewelry pieces.
Color
The color of amethyst is the most critical factor of its value. Most people think that the color of amethyst is always consistent with purple. But, let us surprise you – it is not.
The finest amethyst color is a solid reddish purple or purple. Vibrant red and blue flashes are highly desirable and mark the best-quality amethysts. Any brownish or grayish hues decrease the stone’s value.
Saturation of color is also essential. Pale and too-dark stones are considered to be less desirable. Pale stones can be called lavender amethysts or rose amethysts; oversaturated stones are ink amethysts.
Both light and dark gemstones are less valuable. However, some people prefer these stones; designers can use them in custom jewelry.
Color zoning in rough amethyst crystal. (Photo by Olena Rybnikova).
Clarity
The requirements for amethyst clarity are incredibly high because of the abundance of material. An eye-clean lack of any eye-visible inclusion stones is the most valuable.
In the case of crystals, some Moroccan amethyst can have a unique feature of hourglass-shaped color zoning. This feature is considered to be highly valuable among mineral collectors.
Carat weight
Amethysts are available in a range of sizes. Some are cut as calibrated stones, and sometimes cutters grind off more material just to fit the required proportions. A general weight rule can be applied to amethysts: the more the weight of the high-quality gemstone, the more the price.
There are no magic numbers like for diamonds that stones more than one-carat increase in price dramatically. Just the bigger the stone, the better!
Cut (including craftsmanship)
Amethyst is a versatile gem cutter’s dream! These beautiful stones can be polished to a high shine and cut into any shape you can imagine, from classic round brilliants to unique freeform designs. This makes it possible to create one-of-a-kind amethysts by combining faceting (cutting flat surfaces) and carving. Lapidaries (gemstone cutters) can even use an amethyst’s natural color variations to their advantage by incorporating them into their designs!
The form of a crystal
Amethyst crystals can be in different forms. Double-terminated crystals and scepter-type crystals with color zoning or phantoms increase the value of amethyst. The state of natural crystal facets also influences the price. The more natural facets are preserved, the higher the value.
Amethysts are commonly found in geodes. Geodes are special formations in the form of an internal cavity that is lined with crystals. Their size starts from the first centimeters to several meters!
Most often, amethyst geodes come from Brazil and Uruguay (the Rio Grande do Sul region) and are highly praised among mineral collectors and natural science museums.
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Some additional factors
Amethyst can be heated to lighten the color of dark-purple stones and make them more marketable. However, this treatment should always be disclosed, and heat-treated stones are less valuable than natural ones.
Also, there are a lot of synthetic amethysts that are only possible to spot with sophisticated gemological equipment. Always ask about the origin of the stone. Synthetic stones are less valuable than natural.
TIP: The most common situation all rock hunters and mineral collectors deal with is at-home mineral identification. Check out the ultimate guide in the article below:
Identifying Minerals and Rocks at Home (Step-by-Step Guide)
Amethyst Price per Pound, Kg, Gram & Carat
Faceted common-quality amethyst is $3-20 per carat ($15-100 per gram). Gem-quality material prices are $30-50 per carat and up to $100 for exceptional stones. Rough amethysts can be purchased for $1-10 per several centimeters piece. Amethyst geode prices range from $10 to thousands of dollars.
The table below is designed to help you understand amethyst prices for different units. The price per in bold is the most common for amethyst of medium quality. Per ounce, pound, and kilo prices are recalculated based on per-gram prices for common-quality material.
| Units | Amethyst price |
|---|---|
| per carat | $3 – 20 for expected quality faceted stones $30 – 50 for gem-quality faceted stones |
| per gram | $15 – 100 for standard quality faceted stones $150 – 250 for gem-quality faceted stones |
| per ounce | $420 – 2,800* |
| per pound | $13 – 45 per rough crystal |
| per kilo | $30 – 100 per rough crystal |
*Recalculated prices for standard quality faceted amethyst.
TIP: Quartz crystals and minerals such as amethyst are among the most popular items collected by rockhounds worldwide. Check out the guide on where to find them in the article below:
Where to Find Quartz: Best Environments & Locations (USA)
Amethyst Price by Color
Even in a narrow range of reddish-purple to violet and bluish-purple colors, amethysts differ in price due to different hues and saturation of color. In addition, some of them have notable trade names for a particular color.
The most valuable amethyst is reddish solid purple or purple, costing around $30 – 50 per carat ($150 – 250 per gram). The most affordable amethysts are of light-purple colors and sold under the trade name Rose de France, and the price for faceted stones is $3 – 10 per carat ($15 – 50 per gram).
In the table below, you are welcome to find approximate prices for amethyst of different colors. However, do not expect a wide range of colors as amethyst colors are different mainly in saturation and hardly noticeable hue.
The most valuable amethyst color is reddish solid purple or purple, which traders sometimes call Siberian. But this is considered misleading as the stone can originate from any part of the world. True Siberian amethysts were of the best quality many years ago, but there is no more supply.
That is why the best-quality amethysts are now called African or Zambian, but again, it doesn’t mean the stone comes from there. In most cases, amethysts come from Brazil.
| Amethyst color | Price |
|---|---|
| Pale and light-colored amethyst (trade name – Roze de France) | $3 – 10 per carat ($15 – 50 per gram) |
| Common purple amethyst | $3 – 20 per carat ($15 – 100 per gram) |
| Dark reddish purple or purple (trade name – African or Zambian amethyst) | $10 – 40 per carat ($50 – 200 per gram) |
| Reddish solid purple or purple (outdated trade name – Siberian) | $30 – 50 per carat ($150 – 250 per gram) |
Also, you can come across names such as green amethyst or yellow amethyst. However, it’s not correct to call these stones that way. If you come across such trade names, most probably, these are natural amethysts that have undergone irradiation and heat treatment, respectively.
Only purple-colored stones can be called amethyst. Green amethyst, whether dyed amethyst or natural quartz, is called Prasiolite. Yellow amethyst should be called citrine, and treatment should be disclosed further.
TIP: Rock color is the first rock property we pay attention to. Rocks occur in a branch of colors, hues, and saturation. Find out more in the article below:
Rock Colors: What Determines Color & Why Different Colors
Where to Buy Amethyst
Amethyst is a great gem to buy because it’s widely available in good quality. Here are some tips for finding your perfect amethyst:
- Rough crystals: These can be safely purchased online from reputable vendors.
- Cut stones: Be cautious when buying cut stones online, as synthetic amethysts exist. It’s best to buy from a trusted jeweler or gemstone dealer. Ask about the country of origin to get a sense of the amethyst’s quality.
Prefer to see the amethyst in person? Look for local gem shows or mineral fairs. You can ask the seller about the specific location (deposit or locality) where the amethyst was found. This can help ensure authenticity and give you a better idea of the stone’s quality.
Here’s a fun fact: Most amethyst on the market today comes from South America and Africa, with Brazil being a major source!
However, a recent discovery of amethyst in Moroccoco discovered a sustainable and ethical amethyst source. Also, fine amethysts have recently emerged from the Four Peaks mine in the US state of Arizona.
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Conclusion
Amethyst is a beautiful and affordable gemstone, making it a popular choice for jewelry and collections. Here’s what affects the price:
- Color: Deep, rich purples are the most valuable.
- Clarity: Fewer flaws and cracks mean a higher price.
- Cutting: Special cuts and carvings can increase value.
- Size: Larger, high-quality amethysts are more valuable.
- Crystal Form: Collectors may pay more for unique shapes like double-terminated crystals.
- Origin: Amethysts from certain locations, like Morocco or Arizona, can be more valuable.
- Treatments: Natural amethysts are worth more than those treated to enhance color.
Here’s a price range to give you an idea:
- Faceted Amethyst: Common quality ranges from $3 to $20 per carat ($15-100 per gram). Gem quality can go up to $30-50 per carat, rarely reaching $100 for exceptional stones.
- Rough Amethyst: You can find these for $1-10 per several centimeters.
- Amethyst Geodes: Prices can range from $10 to thousands of dollars, depending on size and quality.
Overall, amethyst offers a variety of options to suit your budget and taste!
TIP: There are plenty of cool rocks in our little world. Check out the tips on where to find them in the article below:
What are Cool Rocks & Where to Find Them? Follow These Tips