How Can I Buy Genuine Amethyst?
There are several things to look out for when buying genuine Amethyst such as it having various shades of purple throughout, it isn't usually one solid colour. Real Amethyst may also contain impurities and inclusions; however you shouldn't be able to see bubbles - bubbles are usually an indication of glass. There are exceptions to this such as being lucky enough to find an Enhydro ... Enhydros are little pockets of air that have water trapped inside - the water is thousands of years old and you can see it moving about! Brandberg Amethyst is one variety of Amethyst that is known to occasionally contain Enhydros.
The next thing to look out for with Amethyst crystals is traces of dye. Examine any cracks or crevices to see if there is a build-up of colour, and if there is, it could mean that a low-grade piece of Amethyst (or other type of crystal) has been dyed to increase its value. Also check whether the Amethyst is cold or warm. Real Amethyst is a Quartz crystal so it should be cool when you first touch it, even on a really hot day. Fake Amethyst, made out of plastic or other manmade materials, will feel warm on a hot day.
If you already own an Amethyst and would like to test it to see if it is genuine, you can perform a scratch test in accordance with the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Amethyst crystals are rated as a 7 on the Mohs scale therefore glass, which rates as a 5.5, won't be able to scratch the Amethyst. Genuine Amethyst however, will scratch glass.
Which Origin of Amethyst is Best?
Brazil and Uruguay are well known for their beautiful, high quality Amethyst crystals. The colour of the Amethyst from these two South American countries is absolutley amazing.
Where Are Our Amethyst Crystals Sourced?
Our Amethyst crystals are mainly sourced from Brazil or Uruguay as the quality of their Amethyst is unbeatable. We also can't go past Australian Amethyst (as shown above), however they are much harder to source.
Other countries we source Amethyst from includes Pink Amethyst from Argentina; Brandberg Amethyst which is only found in Namibia near the Brandberg Mountains; Vera Cruz Amethyst from Vera Cruz in Mexico; plus Amethyst from Madagasca which have very affordable Amethyst spheres, hearts or other crystal carvings.