Different gemstones have been in use since ancient eras for making jewelry pieces. With new gemstones being introduced, jewelry fans get more unique options to embellish themselves or gift their loved ones. At present, one of the most fascinating semi-precious gemstones is the green amethyst.
These days, more and more people are investing in jewelry sets made using these stones. So, isn’t it exciting to know about it? Don’t you wish to know about its overall impact on your mind, body, and spirit? Thus, read on…
What Is Green Amethyst？
Green amethyst refers to a light green and transparent gemstone belonging to the mineral family of Quartz. It is also known as Vermarine, lime citrine, and more commonly prasiolite, which is a more apt name for the green form of amethyst.
Amethyst by itself is nothing but purple quartz. Generally, gemstones are known by the name of their contained mineral, such as emerald and diamond. However, a few stones are known by their color. One of these gemstones is amethyst.
It seems a bit silly but a green amethyst is actually green-purple rather than green quartz. It is exactly what this semi-precious stone means.
Presumably, there could be two reasons why many of us do not refer to it as green quartz. First, green quartz is produced by giving heat treatment to a few varieties of quartz, which is usually amethyst. This connection seems to allow the use of the misnomer. Prasiolite is actually a name given to green heat-treated quartz.
Second, several people believe amethyst to be one of the finest semi-precious gems but do not consider quartz as very special. This is because quartz is available in plenty on the planet. It is all around us. Prasiolite or green quartz just does not possess a ring similar to green amethyst.
Indeed, many semi-precious stones are nothing but forms of quartz, such as carnelian, citrine, rose quartz, and smokey quartz.
Green Amethyst is a gemstone with an extraordinary luster as well as transparency. Available in different cuts such as step, drop mixed, and oval; the stone’s characteristic is its color distribution in the form of striking patches and bands.
It is marked with a series of wavy and intermittent parallel lines when seen using the lens. The effect of this stone on several people is to establish a profound connection with their true or real selves. It is believed that the stone’s energy is similar to that of the spirit of nature itself, expressed within a cool green quartz crystal.
It is also an effective healing gemstone that is worn even for obtaining spiritual serenity, a healthy body, higher self-esteem, and better communication skills.
Meaning
The name Prasiolite is a result of merging two Greek words, prason and lithos. The former means leek green due to the color that resembles the color of the plant of the same name. The latter word means stones.
Amethyst also comes from ‘amethystos’, a Greek word mentioned even in the New Testament. As per the Greek and Biblical mythologies, amethyst means ‘not drunken’. Thus, it is believed that amethyst tends to ward off drunkenness. Amethyst also means sober.
In ancient times, it was believed that this stone could prevent the holder from becoming too drunk and could also result in a sober mind. If someone drank from a goblet or an amethyst cup, he would not become drunk at all.
According to Greek mythology, amethyst refers to a crystal-dyed purple rock formed by the tears of Dionysus, the deity of wine and gaiety.
Green amethyst is actually an imprecise name that some of us use to refer to prasiolite. By definition, amethyst is a purple form of quartz. Thus, green amethyst is a misnomer just as red emeralds and yellow emeralds are red beryls and heliodors, respectively.
Green amethyst is likely to start its journey as purple amethyst. However, it may also be a piece of transparent pale green quartz. It can even be a part of amegreen, a stone that expresses both amethyst colors. The color is likely to vary, ranging right from yellow-green to leafy green.
Properties
Amethyst is originally a deep purple or violet stone, which is the only gem having this color. It is a purple form of quartz or a silicon dioxide crystal (SiO2) and gets its violet color due to the irradiation of iron impurities (Fe3+) along with significant quantities of trace elements.
Indeed, it is the most precious stone of the quartz family. There are times when green amethyst contains more amount of iron compounds inside. After being treated with heat, amethyst loses its natural purple shade and becomes green. Heat treatment is quite common in the gemstone industry.
Thus, a heated stone is as valuable as its original form. Green amethyst or prasiolite is available in different colors, which include lime green with a bit of yellow and deep pine forest green.
Physical Properties
Amethyst green is an oxide mineral that can express a myriad of green color shades. It features a trigonal or hexagonal crystal system, a brittle tenacity, no cleavage, a gravity of 2.65, and a hardness of 7 as per the Mohs scale.
Gravity refers to the stone’s weight with regard to its size. The stone’s look ranges from transparent to approximately opaque.
The hardness rating is not surprising, as the stone comes from the silica family. All silica stones have hardness around this degree. Such hardness almost ensures relatively higher durability than iron whose rating on the Mohs scale is 5. This means green amethyst jewelry is going to last long.
Green amethyst is durable as well as highly resistant to scratches. As its natural occurrence is rare, the stone is often made synthetically by heating amethyst. Right now, all green amethyst stones available in the market are the outcome of heat treatment and ionizing radiation procedures.
The majority of amethyst becomes orange, yellow, or brown when heat treated. However, those having special iron compounds instead become green. Orange or yellow transformation results in citrine. However, the inclusion of radiation makes it go green.
In general, green amethyst is light green and the most suitable specimens are allegedly transparent, as there are no internal impurities.
It features a glassy shine, a variety of cuts or shapes, different carat weights, a very high sparkle, and a conchoidal fracture. It is also somewhat sensitive to light, which means the stone is likely to fade with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Natural prasiolite crystals are usually dichroic. This indicates that they are visible with different colors when they are seen under lights with varying polarization.
Metaphysical Properties
In the metaphysical world, green amethyst or prasiolite is linked to the element of earth, the energies of inner vision, power, and self-love, and the astrological signs of Scorpio and Capricorn. Its statistical vibrations are 4 and 7.
The stone vibrates chiefly with the heart chakra and it is highly spiritual. It brings in high vibrational divine energy via the heart chakra (one of the seven chakras to mediate). This helps in connecting the bearer with the higher self.
Prasiolite as a heat-treated amethyst is closely related to both quartz forms namely, amethyst and citrine. Thus, it bridges the gap between the solar plexus chakra, the heart chakra, the crown chakra, and the third eye. Thus, it is ideal for aligning the mind, spirit, and body into an integrated whole.
The stone is used to ground yourself to Mother Earth’s energy. Meditating while holding it or just keeping it in your space establishes a strong bond with Mother Earth. This paves the way for robust healing energy to go up to your heart from your feet. This is how you can be strongly connected with nature.
This stone gives us a gentle reminder that we belong to this universe and should cuddle the energy of unconditional love. People believe that this stone aids in manifesting spiritual ideals into our daily lives.
While many prefer wearing prasiolite, some like to meditate with it or keep it nearby to get rid of negative energy, trigger divine love, foster compassion and self-honor, and promote healing by bridging the physical and spiritual gap.
According to the records, Leonardo Da Vinci mentioned that amethyst could dispel evil thoughts and boost intelligence power. If you wish to live a spiritual life, this stone is helpful.
It helps in translating your spiritual growth into real-life success experienced through peace and divine connection. It does so by activating the heart that acts as the leader of thoughts and actions. It makes the heart the center of your experience and facilitates heart vision, which means to see via human flaws related to your spirit.
The stone is also believed to strengthen the will as well as the mind, protect from intoxication, and attract prosperity as well as good fortune. It also cures and heals the body when it is suffering from severe pain.
Apart from the metaphysical healing properties, prasiolite also has a myriad of physical healing properties. The crystal healer seems to heal burns and abrasions, treat lungs and heart if they are trapped in some disorder, heal eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, and address skin and fertility disorders.
It also seems to boost the endocrine system and help in fulfilling weight loss goals. For healing burns or wounds, you only need to keep it on that affected body part.
Green Amethyst In Jewelry Uses
Wearing crystal jewelry designed using the gorgeous green amethyst is truly extraordinary, considering its physical and spiritual benefits. It is ideal to wear these pieces of jewelry in the areas of chakras where its energy is highly advantageous. Fortunately, green amethyst jewelry is available in most esteemed stores and is, therefore, easy to buy.
You can get the jewelry in different styles and types including necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings, and earrings. Prasiolite pendants are specifically more beneficial, as they help in keeping the stone close to the heart chakra, a spot where the stone is known to resonate its powerful heart-based energy.
Even the green amethyst earrings are sufficiently beneficial. As worn on the ears, they resonate the stone’s energy nearer to the crown chakras as well as the third eye. This is where these stones are likely to kindle your inner vision.
An amethyst ring is perhaps in high demand, particularly during the holidays for gifting to loved ones. This is unlike other gemstone jewelry that are common throughout the year. The green amethyst gemstone is also a famous birthstone for those born in February.
The green amethyst beads as well as pendants are commonly worn in summer, while those made using purple amethysts are seen in winter.
Out of all gemstone pieces of jewelry, those made using green amethyst stones are usually overlooked. This is perhaps due to the fact they do not match the status that diamonds have. However, their status is much more diamonds due to their benefits that surpass those of diamonds.
The certified green amethyst jewelry holds more value than those that are not certified. This value is equivalent to that of diamonds. Thus, green amethyst is a valuable investment. This gemstone does not depreciate unlike most non-certified jewelry and the cost of acquiring a quality form is lower.
One of the attractive reasons to buy green amethyst jewelry is its color and its available hues. Green is just a variation of the standard purple color of the amethyst gemstone. Thus, the resulting jewelry is available in different color shades ranging from light green to dark purple.
Yes, green is just not the only color to consider for amethyst jewelry. When exposed to heat, the stone changes its color to give unusually striking hues.
You can expect a cool minty color representing a frost-covered leaf featuring a bit of earthy sage, which is truly a distinct look to engross the imaginations of all wearers as well as the curiosity of all observers.
The lighter green color is often highlighted with diamonds and other gemstones, as both stones complement each other pretty well. This combination is gaining popularity quickly.
Several users get started by investing in the basic certified jewelry and then upgrading to the costlier diamond-accented jewelry.
Where Does Green Amethyst Come From?
As this gemstone rarely occurs naturally, only a few mines on the planet have its deposits. These deposits of amethyst can be easily converted into prasiolite upon heating. Most of the green amethyst comes by heating the Montezuma deposits in Brazil’s Minas Gerais.
Other deposits in use are in Arizona and Susanville, California. Apart from that, amethyst deposits exist in Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Canada, and Poland.
Where to Buy Green Amethyst?
Usually Etsy or Amazon is a good idea. Etsy is the leading online global marketplace of handmade, vintage, and creative goods. Amazon is one of the largest global online marketplaces. Both of them are reliable and easy to find your favorite items there.
How Much Is Green Amethyst Worth?
The value of green amethyst significantly depends on its color, origin, cut, carat, and clarity. The place from where you are buying it also tends to affect the price a bit. For example, the price you pay in Dubai will be different from what you pay in Poland.
Similarly, a three-carat raw amethyst stone can cost you $15 or $50 depending on the place. As per the March 2014 edition of Professional Guide to Gemstone Values, these stones are worth between $7 and $70. As a thumb rule, a darker color means more value.
The following are the factors that affect the price of a green amethyst stone:
- Color is what distinguishes green amethyst from its purple equivalent. Thus, it is the major factor that affects the stone’s price. The color depth and color distribution define the value. Usually, a deeper and brighter hue means more price.
- Origin also significantly affects the price, as the pure and natural form is always available at a higher premium, such as those Brazilian green amethyst stones. The natural forms feature fine color and clarity. The Brazilian stones are always in demand due to their pure natural form. At times, some of them are slightly heated.
- Clarity means no eye-visible imperfections. A highly transparent green quartz stone obviously has more value. For such natural pieces, the price per carat rises by 20 to 30%.
- Cut is usually classic if the price is higher. Well-defined classic cuts tend to conceal the flaws and improve the color as well as brilliance. However, the reduction of weight as a result of the cutting process actually decides the price. Usually, oval and round shapes are cheaper than the green amethyst stones of other shapes such as fancy checkerboard and cushion cuts.
- Carat refers to the carat weight. It is tough to have a large green amethyst stone in a bright, evenly distributed color as well as uniform clarity. Thus, the price rises with the bigger stones of finer quality.
How to Identify Green Amethyst?
A few gemstones such as citrine and amethyst are extremely hard to distinguish. In a few cases, identification is just impossible. Still, you can identify green amethyst by checking cut, clarity, color, gravity, and origin. You need to test these factors based on the aforementioned descriptions.
A genuine stone will not have an entirely consistent color but different hues of green throughout. The color also changes a bit in response to exposure to different lighting. Further, such an amethyst stone is free of imperfections, bubbles, or discolorations. All is clean when viewed by the naked eye.
To examine the cut, which can be any of the different shapes and sizes, as amethyst stones are easy to cut. A genuine stone should be smooth and polished. A round shape will have a lot of color variation. Jewelers usually cut discolored stones into a round shape to make variations a bit less visible.
For examining the cut, put the stone under the magnifying glass. A genuine stone will take some time for inspection. Then, consider scratching the stone with a knife blade or a fingernail.
A genuine one will not scratch at all. A fairly durable gem, prasiolite is resistant to scratching as well as surface damage. It also holds up in the conditions of daily wear.
How to Cleanse Green Amethyst?
Despite being durable, green amethyst stones need proper care and storage to prevent their contact with other items or high temperatures. You can clean them using warm soapy water and a soft brush. Even ultrasonic cleaners are used for cleaning them. Most experts suggest using only water to clean the stone to purify its inner energies.
The difference Between Green Amethyst and Green Quartz
The amethyst, by definition, cannot be any other color than purple. Thus, it is precise to call green amethyst the green quartz made by heating amethyst or prasiolite.
Amethyst is likely to develop into rarer green quartz and copious citrine naturally when favorable geological conditions come together. Just north of Reno, green quartz, citrine, and amethyst are found together in crystal clusters in silt.
They are present loose in sandy and rocky debris and seem to have worn from cavities in the unreachable cliffs above. The quartz accumulated in these areas due to the gradual accumulation of silica from migrating mixes.
With the passage of time, low-grade radiation altered the ferrous quartz into its amethyst color. Further, volcanic projections and high temperatures have further resulted in a color change to citrine or green quartz.
According to experts, instead of using natural amethyst, colorless quartz stones are in use. These stones can bear a pale green color which they are also known as green quartz.
Anyways, green quartz is heat-treated amethyst. Thus, green quartz is often known as green amethyst. However, not all amethyst stones are treatable to generate green amethyst.
The Best Combination to Use with Green Amethyst
If you wish to boost the metaphysical properties, consider using prasiolite with danburite, moldavite, and/or other amethyst. Pink danburite unites strikingly with this green quartz. This stone, too, has high crystal energy to connect with the angelic realm and heal you physically and spiritually.
Final Words
Green amethyst is nothing but heat-treated purple amethyst that changes its color to green due to the presence of special iron compounds. Also known as prasiolite, it is a distinct stone perfect for making a myriad of jewelry. Whether spiritual powers, attractive green color, or perceived energy; there is at least one reason why you should have it in your collection.
