URUGUAYAN AMETHYST GEMSTONE

Perhaps you’ve seen a few amethyst crystals in your time, but never one like this! Carefully turning this specimen of Uruguayan amethyst in your hands, you observe the magical and mystical beauty of universe the stone is famous for. How did such a stone become one of the most desirable amethyst gems on the market today? Learn how to identify Uruguayan amethyst and how to tell it apart from other amethyst gemstones.

Determining Uruguayan Amethyst Value

The value of colored stones is typically determined by a combination of its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. This is no different when determining what Uruguayan amethyst is worth. These guidelines will help you choose Uruguayan amethyst stones for your collection.

• Uruguayan Amethyst Color

Stones from Uruguay exhibit a range of color potential, based on the quality of rough material used. It displays a rich velvety look with intense deep purple color. Less than 10% of all Uruguayan amethyst crystals include such color tonality and transparency. The color is caused due to charge transfer of elements and Iron.

• Uruguayan Amethyst Clarity

Uruguayan amethyst falls in the Type II category of GIA clarity grading system, meaning it lacks eye-visible inclusions. The inclusions that are commonly found in the gemstone are iron impurities such as goethite. Uruguayan amethyst is preferred free of eye-visible inclusions. If present, they decrease its value.

The amethyst forms in gray or brown exterior druzy crusts that line the inside of volcanic vugs. Colored throughout the crystals, amethyst bonds with multicolored agate at the base.

• Uruguayan Amethyst Cut

From the rough, finished Uruguayan amethyst is around 12-percent of total yield. This yield is dependent on the presence of high color zoning in the gemstone. As the color distribution in Uruguayan amethyst crystals is more or less uniform, the gemstone is facilitated with a variety cuts and shapes. This includes rounds, ovals, pears, emerald cuts, triangles, marquises, cushions, and others. Facet patterns include the classic triangular cut, rows of concentric parallel facets called step cuts, and mixed cuts that combine both facet arrangements.

• Uruguayan Amethyst Carat

Premium Uruguayan amethyst display a rich velvety look with Intense deep purple color. However, as the major product coming from the mine is small in size, the high-quality Uruguayan amethyst gemstone above four carats is rare.

In addition, the price per carat of Uruguayan amethyst does not rise dramatically with larger size. The price depends mainly on the clarity and color saturation of the gemstone, meaning the higher the color saturation and clarity, the higher the price.

Uruguayan Amethyst Treatment

Often, novice or amateur collectors might ask if amethyst is real. What’s really being asked is if Uruguayan amethyst is treated. Much Uruguayan amethyst never undergoes any treatment. Commonly, this stone may be heat treated to improve its color. This treatment is stable and will last with normal gem care.

Caring for Uruguayan Amethyst

Uruguayan amethyst measures seven on the Mohs scale of hardness and has good toughness, making it a durable gemstone for jewelry purpose. This gemstone can be safely cleaned with warm soapy water. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe to use on this stone. Steam cleaning is not recommended for Uruguayan amethyst, and the gemstone should not be subjected to heat.

When storing Uruguayan amethyst jewelry, wrap it in a soft cloth, or place it into a fabric-lined box. Always store Uruguayan amethyst out of direct sunlight as the color of some amethyst has been known to fade.

Who Can Wear Uruguayan Amethyst?

Purple is the color of royalty. For centuries, amethyst was considered as one of five precious stones, alongside diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald. Uruguayan amethyst is a stunning gemstone with intense velvety purple tone, ideal for any jewelry style from ring, earrings, bracelets to pendants.

Deep purple shades of Uruguayan amethyst are perfect complement to the yellow, orange and red shade. The dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple tones of the gemstone work best with gold, silver and rose gold.

In addition, Uruguayan amethyst jewelry is an ideal gift for those celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary

How Does Uruguayan Amethyst Compare to Other Amethyst Stones?

A gem’s source doesn’t always mean that it will consistently display a color or range. Uruguayan amethyst is best known for its rich purple and blue-violet hues with flickers of red and indigo. Compared to other amethyst stones, this gemstone offers rich velvety look with intense purple color.

Where Does Uruguayan Amethyst Come From?

Shop LC sources this amethyst variety from Uruguay's prestigious Artigas Department. Situated in the Northern region of Uruguay, Artigas Department is an important supplier of raw mineral material.

How is Uruguayan Amethyst Mined?

Uruguayan amethyst is mined in horizontal mines as the best quality amethyst can be found only a few feet underground. It is mined either in open pit or a tunnel is dug when one need to go through mountains or hills. Since 1998, mining companies started to work on rocks and used dynamite to make tunnels to get amethyst stones.

Amethyst-bearing geodes are found in the flood basalts of the Arapey formation at Artigas. These geodes are formed by bubbles of carbon dioxide-rich, basalt-derived fluids.

In the mining area of Artiga, there are 58 active Canteras (quarries). Once the Cantera is exhausted, it is re-filled with earth. This prevents the environment from suffering degradation.

Uruguayan Amethyst Properties

What Does Uruguayan Amethyst Mean?

Amethyst is a stone of protection and has long been appreciated by ancient cultures and gem therapists for its calming and purifying attributes. Some suggest that amethyst soothes troubled minds by providing a peaceful sleep. It’s also considered a talisman against evil magic and intoxication.

Ancient Egyptians would carve amethyst and other stones into protective amulets known as fetishes. These would take the shape of animals that are sacred to their culture, which the Ancient Egyptians believed would provide protection from physical and spiritual harm.

Early Christians viewed these same elements through the lens of Jesus Christ. For them, purple color was synonymous with purity of spirit, and how suffering makes one pure. Others likened the reddish-purple color to Christ’s wounds, and believed the stone would aid in healing.

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. These remedies, approaches, and techniques are not a substitute for professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat any ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.

Is Uruguayan Amethyst a Birthstone?

Amethyst is the modern birthstone for February. With a rich velvety look and intense deep purple color, Uruguayan amethyst is a welcome addition to this list. With the stone’s potential to create fascinating flashes of reds and blues, Uruguayan amethyst birthstone jewelry is a unique spin on a classic gift.

Uruguayan Amethyst Facts

• Uruguayan Amethyst ranks seven on the Mohs hardness scale.
• Uruguayan Amethyst is famous for its rich velvety look with intense deep purple color.
• Uruguayan Amethyst at Shop LC are sourced from Uruguay's prestigious Artigas Department.
• Uruguayan Amethyst commonly undergoes heat treatment.