1st - Gold 
January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
June 
July 
August 
September 
October 
November 
December 
Capricorn - Garnet 
Aquarius - Amethyst 
Pisces - Aquamarine 
Aries - Diamond 
Taurus - Emerald 
Gemini - Pearl 
Cancer - Ruby 
Leo - Peridot 
Virgo - Blue Sapphire 
Libra - Opal 
Scorpio - Topaz 
Sagittarius - Tanzanite 
Amethyst vs Ametrine
Which Purple Gemstone Should You Choose?
When choosing a purple gemstone, Amethyst and Ametrine are two of the most captivating options. While both feature beautiful purple hues, their composition, hardness, value, and care requirements vary.
This comprehensive Amethyst vs Ametrine comparison guide will help you understand the key differences, guiding you to select the perfect gemstone for jewellery or collection purposes.
Amethyst vs Ametrine: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Amethyst | Ametrine |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Family | Quartz | Quartz (combination of Amethyst & Citrine) |
| Hardness | 7 – Durable for most jewellery | 7 – Durable, suitable for daily wear |
| Value | Moderate; widely available | Moderate to high; rarer than standard amethyst |
| Best For | Affordable purple jewellery, decorative pieces | Unique statement jewellery, collector pieces |
| Professional Guides | Amethyst Buyer’s Guide | Ametrine Buyer’s Guide |
Amethyst Features, Colour & Jewellery Use
Amethyst is a classic purple gemstone, cherished for its vibrant colour and affordability. It belongs to the quartz family, with a Mohs hardness of 7, making it durable enough for rings, earrings, and pendants.
Colour: Ranges from light lavender to deep purple, with darker hues generally being more valuable.
Origins: Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, and Madagascar.
Price Guide (per carat): R250 – R3,500 depending on size and colour quality.
Ametrine Features, Colour & Durability
Ametrine is a naturally occurring combination of amethyst and citrine in a single crystal, resulting in unique purple and golden-yellow zones. Its Mohs hardness of 7 ensures suitability for jewellery, while its rarity makes it more desirable for collectors.
Colour: Displays distinct purple and yellow/orange zoning; the stronger the colour contrast, the higher the value.
Origins: Bolivia (main source), Brazil, and some African deposits.
Price Guide (per carat): R1,500 – R8,000 depending on size and quality
Amethyst vs Ametrine: Detailed Technical Comparison
| Feature | Amethyst | Ametrine |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities | Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with zones of amethyst and citrine |
| Colour | Light lavender to deep purple | Purple and yellow/orange zones |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 – Durable for most jewellery | 7 – Durable, suitable for rings and pendants |
| Refractive Index | 1.544 – 1.553 | 1.544 – 1.553 |
| Specific Gravity | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Clarity & Inclusions | Typically eye-clean; occasional inclusions | Eye-clean; zoning may affect clarity perception |
| Origin | Brazil, Uruguay, Zambia, Madagascar | Bolivia, Brazil, Africa |
| Treatment | Rarely heat-treated | Occasionally heat-treated to enhance colour contrast |
| Best Use | Amethyst jewellery, decorative pieces, affordable luxury | Unique jewellery, collector pieces, statement rings |
Amethyst vs Ametrine: Colour, Hardness & Care Tips
Colour Comparison:
- Amethyst: Rich purples; darker stones are more valued.
- Ametrine: Unique bi-colour of purple and yellow/orange; the more distinct the contrast, the higher the desirability.
Hardness & Durability:
- Both are Mohs 7; durable for rings, pendants, and earrings, but avoid sharp knocks.
Care Tips:
- Clean with mild soap and water; avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight to prevent colour fading.
Amethyst vs Ametrine: How to Tell Them Apart
💡 Tip: Look for the unique colour zoning in Ametrine, while Amethyst is uniformly purple. Professional verification is recommended for high-value stones.
Amethyst Summary
- Hardness: Mohs 7
- Colour: Uniform purple, lavender to deep purple
- Refractive Index: 1.544 – 1.553
- Inclusions: Minimal; mostly eye-clean
- Care: Suitable for rings, pendants; avoid direct sunlight
Ametrine Summary
- Hardness: Mohs 7
- Colour: Purple and yellow/orange zones
- Refractive Index: 1.544 – 1.553
- Inclusions: Minimal; zoning may create optical effects
- Care: Durable, clean with mild soap and water; avoid strong impacts
Buying Tips
• Request a certified gem report for both Amethyst and Ametrine.
• For Ametrine, evaluate the colour zoning quality.
• Amethyst is widely available; select stones with deep, even colour.
• Consider jewellery setting; protective settings are optional due to Mohs 7 hardness.
• Browse our Amethyst Collection and Ametrine Collection.
Which Purple Gemstone Should You Choose?
- Amethyst: Affordable, widely available, perfect for classic purple jewellery.
- Ametrine: Rare, unique bi-colour, ideal for collectors or statement pieces.
Both gemstones are versatile and beautiful; your choice depends on colour preference, rarity, and jewellery purpose.
Amethyst vs Ametrine FAQ’s
Is Ametrine rarer than Amethyst?
Yes, Ametrine is naturally rarer due to its dual-colour formation.
Can Amethyst fade in sunlight?
Prolonged exposure may slightly fade colour; store jewellery safely.
Are both gemstones durable for daily wear?
Yes, Mohs 7 hardness makes them suitable for rings, earrings, and pendants.
Can Amethyst and Ametrine be heat-treated?
Rarely; Ametrine may occasionally be heat-treated to enhance colour contrast.
Are these gemstones investment-grade?
Generally, Amethyst is not; high-quality Ametrine may hold collector value.
How can I tell Amethyst from Ametrine visually?
Amethyst is uniform purple; Ametrine shows distinct purple and yellow zones.
COMPARE GEMSTONES WITH CONFIDENCE
Gemstone Comparison Guides
Choosing between two beautiful gemstones can be challenging. Our professional Gemstone Comparison Guides help you clearly understand the differences between popular gemstones so you can make a confident and informed choice.
Each comparison explores the key factors that influence gemstone quality and value, including colour, clarity, durability, rarity and typical treatments. You will also learn how similar-looking gemstones differ in appearance, composition, hardness and more.
HERE IS ALL THE PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION YOU NEED
Gemstone Buyer's Guides
Buying a gemstone should be exciting — but understanding quality, rarity and value is essential before making the right choice. Our professional Gemstone Buyer’s Guides help you understand how colour, clarity, cut and treatments influence the beauty and value of different gemstones.
Each guide explains the key quality factors used by gemologists, including gemstone composition, colour grading, natural inclusions, treatments and origin. You will also learn how these factors affect rarity, durability and market value.
Beryl Family
Feldspar Gemstones
Pyroxene Gemstones
Spodumene Family
Chalcedony & Agate
Quartz Gemstones
Amethyst
Ametrine
Citrine
Prasiolite
Quartz
Rose Quartz
Rutile Quartz
Smoky Quartz
Rare & Collector Gemstones
Apatite
Chrysoberyl
Clinozoisite
Fluorite
Grandidierite
Iolite
Jade
Kyanite
Lapis Lazuli
Phosphosiderite
Prehnite
Serendibite
Sillimanite
Sphene
Sugilite
Vesuvianite