Amethysts Auctions
You can quite often buy amethysts at gemological or just diamond auctions. It is easy to locate auctions where amethysts are being sold using google.com and typing in amethyst auctions. Probably eBay.com and www.bidz,com would be the most popular. Also look out for local auctions in your town or city. Scouring the newspapers can sometimes net you an auction at which amethysts are up for sale.
Jewelery and gem auctions are usually the best.
Some important points to remember when buying amethysts at auctions.
If you are buying from an auction where you can attend, you will likely need to register if you intend bidding. See if you can inspect the amethysts that will be auctioned. There should be a certificate to accompany the amethyst or amethysts or at least some information about them. Quite often these are antique amethysts and if so will be a good buy if the price is right. You only need to establish that they are true amethysts and not some other lesser quality stone or not even a gem at all.
Firstly you should have some understanding of the value and worth of amethysts and also what your bid is going to be. This will depend on your budget and how much you want the amethysts of course.
When bidding it is better not to bid at all until the very last minute when all the bidding appears to be done. Provided the price is still within your budget you can then jump in with a bid and not start a bidding war (which only benefits the seller and the auction house).
Online auctions are different. You cannot see the amethysts but only a picture of them. It is difficult to asses the quality of an amethyst in this case and you would be more interest in seeing a certificate of authenticity which you could compare the amethyst with if you did bid and win the bid.
Ensure the auction house has provision for misrepresentation of product and a protection system for the buyer. You don’t want to bid and win an expensive amethyst to find when it arrives that you have just got at best a poor quality amethyst and at worse a worthless piece of glass.
Buying amethysts at amethysts auctions can be fun but there is no substitute for doing your due diligence.