Amethyst

The essence of the colour purple, Amethyst is beautiful enough for crown jewels yet affordable enough for class rings.  Purple variety of the mineral quartz, often forms large, six sided crystals.  Fine velvety coloured gems come from African and South American mines.  In demand for jewellery at all price points, Amethyst was as expensive as Ruby and Emerald until the 19th Century, when Brazil’s large deposits were discovered. Today, as the most valued quartz variety, Amethyst is in demand as it’s purple to pastel hues retain wide consumer appeal.