By Riana Courtis
Graduate Gemmologist (GIA) and General Manager, Prins & Prins Diamonds
Cape Town, South Africa
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. It’s popular because it offers rich colour at an accessible price point, and it’s durable enough for regular wear when it’s set and cared for correctly.
Start with colour (because that’s what you’ll notice first)
When jewellers talk about “fine colour”, we’re usually looking at four things:
- Hue: a true purple, sometimes with a slight red-violet or blue-violet lean.
- Tone: how light or dark the colour appears. Mid to medium-dark tends to look the most “luxurious” in everyday lighting.
- Saturation: colour intensity. Strong, even colour usually reads better than pale or washed-out purple.
- Evenness: consistent colour across the gem. Patchy colour zoning can be visible once it’s set.
Everyday wear tip: View amethyst in natural daylight and indoor lighting. Some amethyst looks vivid in one environment and flat in another — it’s normal, and it’s why you should check it in more than one light source.
Clarity: what matters (and what doesn’t)
Amethyst is often available with high clarity, so your money should go towards colour and a good cut rather than accepting obvious inclusions.
- Best choice: looks clean to the eye from normal viewing distance.
- Acceptable: tiny internal features that don’t affect beauty or durability once set.
- Usually avoid: obvious fractures, large reflective inclusions, or cloudy areas that dull the colour.
Durability note: Quartz is around Mohs 7 — fine for regular wear, but it can still chip if knocked on a hard edge (especially at corners or points).
Cut style: choose what suits your lifestyle
The cut affects how bright the gem looks, how deep the colour appears, and how well it hides minor clarity features.
- Faceted cuts (brilliant or mixed cuts): more sparkle; can make colour look livelier.
- Step cuts (emerald, baguette-style): elegant and calm; shows colour clearly but also shows inclusions more easily.
- Oval and cushion: classic “everyday” shapes that suit many hands and settings.
- Pear, marquise, heart: striking but more prone to chipping at points unless protected by the setting.
- Cabochon: smooth dome; softer look; good if you prefer minimal snag risk and a more tactile finish.
Pro tip: If you want the colour to look richer, slightly deeper proportions can help. If you want a lighter, brighter look, a shallower cut can do that — but too shallow can make the gem “window” (look watery or see-through in the centre).
Setting for everyday wear: pick protection first
If you plan to wear your amethyst jewellery often, the setting matters as much as the gem.
- Bezel setting: the most protective. Great for rings worn daily and for active lifestyles.
- Claw/prong setting: lighter and more traditional; choose a design that protects corners and doesn’t sit too high.
- Halo designs: can add visual presence and protect the edge if well-built (but keep it practical, not fragile).
- Low profile rings: snag less; generally better for daily wear than tall settings.
Corner safety: If your gem has corners or points, ask for a setting that shields those areas (or consider a shape that doesn’t expose points).
Metal pairing: how to get the “right” purple
- Yellow gold: creates a warm, heritage look; can make purple feel richer and more “royal”.
- White gold or platinum: crisp and modern; makes the purple look cleaner and sometimes cooler.
- Rose gold: soft and romantic; works beautifully with red-violet leaning amethyst.
Style cue: If you want amethyst to feel classic rather than trendy, keep the design simple and let the colour do the work.
Care basics (so it stays beautiful)
- Remove rings for gym, gardening, heavy lifting, or cleaning with harsh chemicals.
- Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush; rinse and dry carefully.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes and prolonged heat exposure.
- Store separately to avoid scratches from harder materials.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Does the colour look good in both daylight and indoor lighting?
- Does it look clean to the eye at normal distance?
- Is the cut lively (no obvious “window” in the centre)?
- Is the setting protective enough for your lifestyle?
- Does the piece sit comfortably and practically for daily wear?
If you’d like, we can help you compare a few options side-by-side — small differences in colour and cut are much easier to judge in person than on a screen.