AMETHYST

AMETHYST is the purple variety of quartz. From the deepest opaque and regal purple, to light lilac and the palest translucent shades of mauve and lavender – amethysts often show a bluish or reddish-purple tinge when viewed from different angles. The presence of manganese in clear quartz is what gives this stone its purple color, while traces of iron give the color its depth. The more iron, the deeper the purple, sometimes showing a flash of red in the sunlight. Very pale or “Cape” amethysts may also show yellowish-to-beige tones and crystalline inclusions. Amethyst deposits are found in Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia, Uruguay, Burma, India, Canada, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, Sri Lanka, and in the United States (Arizona).

TRANSPARENT LAVENDER AMETHYSTS in polished abstract shapes (with inclusions), measure approximately 0.75 x 0.5 inches each. The focal stones are accented by a variety of smaller amethysts and sterling silver. The full length of the necklace is 19 inches. Matching earrings dangle just more than one inch from the sterling silver button earstuds.

DEEP PURPLE, OPAQUE AMETHYSTS were carved into faceted “nuggets” and combined with round transparent amethyst beads to create this striking necklace. The deeply colored amethysts are accented with lighter amethysts and sterling silver. The abstract focal stones measure approximately 0.75 x 0.5 inches each. The full length of the necklace is 19.5 inches. Matching amethyst and sterling silver earrings dangle just more than one inch from sterling silver hinged earwires. Note how the silver accents on the necklace are also on the earrings.

The lavender, mauve and light-to-deep grey swirls of this beautiful round PURPLE LACE AGATE are highlighted by the agate and amethyst Miriam used to create a simple, sophisticated design. The focal stone is 1-3/8 inches in diameter, and the full pendant length is 2.25 inches. The 6-strand necklace is 18 inches long and includes one full strand of purple lace agate stones. Each strand of glass beading was chosen to highlight one of the myriad lavender colorations in the focal stone, and range from transparent, to pearly, to opaque. Matching earrings dangle approximately one inch from sterling silver earwires. The earrings stones are 0.25 inches in diameter. (Pendant is not sold separately.)

The amazing colorations of this six-sided PURPLE LACE AGATE are highlighted by Miriam’s hand-wrought silver and amethyst design. The focal stone is 1.25 inches wide at its center, and the full pendant length is two inches. The necklace is designed with six round purple lace agates and a single strand of agate beads – and expands into two strands with Miriam’s use of square fine glass that has a pearly deep lavender finish. The necklace is approximately 19-20 inches long. Matching earrings are accented with a small round amethyst and dangle 1-1/8 inches from sterling silver earwires. (The pendant is not sold separately.)