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Buying Amethysts
There are a number of factors to consider when buying an amethyst stone.
Amethyst naturally comes in purple. From the light or "Rose de France" often used in antique jewelery, as it is called, to a deeper almost blood red color. The deeper the color the more rare and more expensive generally the stone is.
One can get yellow amethysts also and these have been turned yellow by being heat treated.
First you should pick a reputable dealer, either online or in your town or city. You want someone who has some experience with amethysts and knows what they are talking about.
Make sure they have a returns policy also so you can return the stone for a full refund if it is not what you expected.
Then check if the stone has been treated in anyway. Amethysts can be heat treated or irridated with radiation, even being dyed or coated so you need to check yourself if that is the case. It may not be a amethyst but just a piece of clear quartz.
Some amethysts are more valuable and therefore more pricy than diamonds so you can end up paying many thousands of dollars for a really fine amethyst. So it pays not to just take on trust the first 'amethyst' you are offered by the local jeweler. Try to look at several at the same time. Do a comparison. Also check the setting, is it a claw setting or a paste or glued in? You need to see the back of the gemstone also so it should be a claw setting, especially for a ring. What sort of metal is the garnet set in. 9 karat gold or higher? It should be at least 14 karat gold or pure platinum. Amethysts look splendid in any setting and can really set off the metal it is set in.
The Amethyst should be clear with no or invisible inclusions (bubbles within the stone caused when it was first formed) or flaws.
Examine the stone for the cut. Does the surface reflect light evenly? Check for any scratches or marks on the surface of the stone.
It is a good idea to examine two or more amethysts together. That way you can select the stone you like the most.
Lastly keep in mind that if the stone is "cheap" it is most likely not a real amethyst.
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