Looking to add a touch of regal elegance to your jewelry collection? Look no further than the mesmerizing Amethyst. This dazzling gemstone has been valued for centuries for its enchanting violet hue and a myriad of beneficial properties.
Despite its alluring beauty, when it comes to price, Amethyst varies widely depending on its quality and size. However, even larger, more valuable specimens are often priced lower than other gemstones of similar size, making it a more affordable option for those looking to invest in fine jewelry.
But the worth of Amethyst goes beyond its monetary value— this gemstone has been treasured by cultures all over the world for its symbolic significance, representing wisdom, spirituality, and inner strength. This gemstone is a truly valuable addition to any collection, so read on to know the value of this natural wonder!
What Amethyst Is
Amethyst is undoubtedly the rock star of the gemstone world, and for good reason! This little purple powerhouse is a variety of Quartz, but don’t let its common mineral heritage fool you. Amethyst is a showstopper with its rich violet color and dazzling crystalline structure. Now you might ask, “Is Amethyst expensive?”
Well, while diamonds are a girl’s best friend, Amethyst is the friend who always has your back. Despite being treasured for centuries, the great news is you don’t have to be a millionaire to add it to your jewelry collection! Here are some of the most stunning ones that you can find, including their prices.
Ametrine
Photo provided by and available for purchase at AsanaCrystals
Ametrine can only be described as two gemstones in one: Amethyst and Citrine. This beauty is the result of a rare geological phenomenon, where Amethyst and Citrine crystals form together in the same rock. The result? A stunning gemstone that showcases the best of both worlds with its vibrant purple and sunny yellow hues.
But what makes Ametrine so valuable? For starters, it’s a real head-turner. People can’t help but notice the unique blend of colors that set it apart from other gemstones. Plus, its rarity factor only adds to its value. The process of forming Ametrine is extremely rare, with only a few known deposits found in the world.
How much is Ametrine worth
Ametrine normally occurs in large, clean samples so its size doesn’t affect its price per carat. If you’re looking to purchase this, you’re in luck because an Ametrine’s value is normally at $5 to $10 per carat.
Purple Amethyst
Photo provided by and available for purchase at KK Gems And Jewels
This gorgeous gem is a variety of quartz that gets its rich, purple color from the presence of iron and other trace elements that work their magic during the crystal’s formation.
What makes the Purple Amethyst so valuable is its undeniable beauty. The rich, deep hues of purple range from a pale lilac to a deep, royal shade, making it a favorite among jewelry designers and collectors.
How much is purple amethyst worth
Purple Amethyst’s price may vary depending on the intensity of its color and cut. Here are the numbers:
| Color | Cut | Price (Per Carat) |
| Siberian | Faceted | $20 to $100 |
| Dark | Cabochon | $15 to $20 |
| Medium | Faceted | $10 to $30 |
| Medium | Cabochon | $5 to $10 |
| Light | Faceted | $5 to $20 |
Blue Amethyst
Now here’s a gemstone that’s as cool as it’s stunning! The Blue Amethyst a variation of the traditional Purple Amethyst, with a gorgeous blueish tint that sets it apart from the crowd. It gets its unique color from the presence of iron in the crystal during its formation.
Blue Amethysts are valuable because of its rarity. While it’s not as common as its purple cousin, it’s not quite as rare as some other gemstones, making it a great choice for those who want something special without breaking the bank.
How much is Blue Amethyst worth
Because they’re rarer than the standard Purple Amethyst, Blue Amethyst’s value is also a bit higher at around $40 per carat.
Prasiolite (“Green Amethyst”)
Prasiolite, also known as the Green Amethyst, is a gemstone that’s as green as it is mean (in the best way possible, of course!). This beauty is a variety of quartz that gets its stunning green color from heat treatment of Amethyst, which alters the oxidation state of iron impurities in the gem.
Prasiolite is a real conversation starter— people can’t help but notice its unique, almost minty green color that stands out from other gemstones. Plus, its relative rarity only adds to its value. It’s not as common as other gemstones, making it a great choice for those who want something a little bit different.
How much is Prasiolite worth
Just like the Blue Amethyst, Prasiolite is considerably rarer than Purple Amethyst. However, since it’s heat treated, its price isn’t really far from the more common Amethyst. Prasiolite’s value is currently at $5 to $50 per carat.
Tips For Buying Amethyst
Finding a nice amethyst piece and getting it for a good price is harder than it should be a lot of the time. There are a lot of factors that go into the price (we cover those later on in this article) and a lot of jewelers put a huge markup on what they sell.
It makes it pretty tough to really know if you’re getting a good deal or not.
We’ve found that the single most important thing you can do if you want to make sure you’re buying a genuine, quality amethyst piece is to buy from a highly reputable seller.
Over the years we’ve relied more and more on a few different sources when we want to buy amethysts and high-quality amethyst jewelry. We’ve found a couple of great national sellers as well as a network of smaller sellers with great reviews.
We’ve found a few that we think have the following:
- A great selection of different sizes and pieces
- Very high quality
- Ethical sourcing practices
- Incredible reviews and loyal customers
- Reasonable prices
With those things in mind, there are a few options you should consider when making your next amethyst purchase:
Blue Nile for high-quality jewelry – See their amethyst selection HERE
Blue Nile is one of the largest jewelry dealers in the world and we’ve consistently been able to find high-quality pieces from them at reasonable prices. Our team has purchased several pieces from them and has been really happy with the quality.
If you want the biggest selection and the best prices (they do so much business they can have smaller markups) you should try them out first. You can check out their amethyst inventory here if you don’t believe us!
Honorable mention – James Allen
If you don’t find exactly what you need on Blue Nile you should also check out James Allen’s amethyst selections. They are another favorite of ours with some great pieces. We just like Blue Nile a bit more and have bought more from them in the past.
Etsy for raw amethyst or more eclectic pieces (see here)
We’ve really grown to love Etsy and the wide variety of raw and cut amethyst available there. It’s a fantastic marketplace of small and large sellers where you can find just about any type of amethyst you’re looking for.
We’ve found some great raw amethyst and more unique amethyst pieces here. You will have to spend a lot more time searching to find what you want though.
The other downside is that the quality is going to be a lot less consistent than with Blue Nile. You’ll be dealing with a lot of smaller sellers and some don’t have the same level of expertise. You can usually avoid the bad ones by looking at their reviews though!
The selection of amethyst on Etsy is unmatched!
Why Amethyst Is So Expensive
Amethyst is a true gemstone classic! But what really makes it so valuable?
Primarily, it’s all about the looks. Amethyst’s stunning intensities of color make it a favorite among jewelry designers and collectors. It truly shines in every way and adds a touch of regal elegance to any accessory.
Aside from that, this gemstone is also renowned for its metaphysical properties. Some believe that Amethyst promotes calmness, clarity, and inner strength, making it a must-have for those seeking balance and harmony in their lives. It’s even been said to help with addiction and aid in sobriety, too. Now that’s a gemstone worth its weight in gold!
And speaking of gold, Amethyst has been a favorite of royalty and nobility for centuries. It was even once considered as valuable as diamonds! Its beauty and rarity have made it a status symbol throughout history and it continues to be a gemstone that exudes class and sophistication.
Luckily, as you’ll understand in this article, you don’t have to be a king or queen to enjoy the beauty and benefits of Amethyst. It’s readily available and accessible, making it a great choice for those who want to add a touch of luxury to their lives without breaking the bank.
Overall, the beauty, rarity, and metaphysical properties of Amethyst make it a true gemstone classic that will stand the test of time.
How To Determine The Value Of Amethyst
In determining the value of Amethyst, there are many different factors to consider, such as the following:
Color
The most valuable Amethysts have a deep, rich purple color with hints of red or blue. The more vibrant and saturated the color, the more valuable the gemstone.
The Siberian Amethyst, which has a rich purple color, is the most expensive of all Amethysts.
Cut
The way the gemstone is cut can also affect its value. A well-cut Amethyst with symmetrical facets and good proportions will be more valuable than a poorly cut one. In the table above, you can see the difference between the values of a Cabochon and Faceted Amethysts.
Carat
Usually, the larger the gemstone, the more valuable it is. Luckily, Amethysts are largely available in different sizes. However, the price per carat of this gemstone can decrease for larger specimens, especially those above 25 carats.
Clarity
The clearer and more transparent the gemstone, the more valuable it is. Amethysts with inclusions or blemishes may be less expensive than those that are clear and without inclusions.
Origin
The origin of the Amethyst can also impact its price. Amethysts from certain locations, such as Zambia, Brazil, and Uruguay, are known for their quality and can be more valuable than the others found elsewhere.
Carving and Craftsmanship
The more intricate and detailed the carving in an Amethyst, the more valuable it is likely to be. In the same breath, a poorly executed carving can diminish the overall value of the gemstone.
The type of craftsmanship used can also influence the price of the Amethyst. For example, a hand-carved Amethyst is likely to be more valuable than a machine-carved one. Other factors that can also influence the price of Amethyst carvings, including the rarity of the design, the reputation of the artisan, and the demand for the piece.
Treatments and Enhancements
While natural Amethyst is highly valued, there are various treatments and enhancements that can improve its appearance and increase its value. One of them is heat treatment, which improves the color and clarity of the gemstone. Because of this, heat-treated Amethyst commands a higher price.
Another enhancement technique is irradiation, which is used to produce certain colors in Amethyst, such as green. Irradiation can be used in combination with heat treatment to produce even more dramatic color changes.
Coating is another treatment that can be applied to Amethyst. A thin layer of metal or other material can be added to the surface of the gemstone to improve its color or create an iridescent effect. Coated Amethyst is generally less valuable than untreated or heat-treated gemstones.
Amethyst Price By Color
The value of Amethyst can vary widely, depending on a range of factors as we’ve discussed above. But the main factor of all these is color. While most of this gemstone is purple, there are a variety of shades within that range that can impact an Amethyst’s price.
To give you an idea on Amethyst’s value, here’s its price per carat depending on color.
Amethyst values by color
| Color | Cut | Price (Per Carat) |
| Siberian | Faceted | $15 to $100 |
| Dark | Cabochon | $15 to $20 |
| Medium | Faceted | $10 to $30 |
| Medium | Cabochon | $5 to $10 |
| Light | Faceted | $5 to $20 |
| Blue | Any | $40 |
| Green | Any | $5 to $50 |
Like we’ve been saying, you won’t have to break the bank to have a sparkle of beautiful Amethyst in your collection. To provide you with more details on Amethyst’s price, let’s compute how much it will cost you to acquire them in different measurements.
Amethyst pricing by unit of measurement
| Measurement | Price |
| A carat of amethyst | $5 to $100 |
| A gram of amethyst | $25 to $500 |
| An ounce of amethyst | $709 to $14,175 |
| A kilogram of amethyst | $25,000 to $500,000 |
| A pound of amethyst | $11,340 to $226,796 |
| A ton of amethyst | $22,679,625 to $453,592,500 |
The Most Expensive Amethyst
There is no official record of the most expensive Amethyst ever sold. However, there have been some notable sales of particularly valuable ones in the past.
One example is the 2007 sale of the “Empress of Uruguay,” a massive Amethyst geode that stands over 10 feet tall and weighs nearly 2.5 tons. This stunning natural wonder was discovered in Uruguay and sold for a reported $2 million to an anonymous buyer in the US.
The Empress of Uruguay is particularly valuable because of its exceptional size, quality, and the rarity of its deep, rich purple color. It’s considered one of the world’s finest Amethyst specimens and is on display at the Crystal Caves Museum in Queensland, Australia.
While the Empress of Uruguay is an extreme example of a particularly valuable Amethyst, it demonstrates the potential for the gemstone to command high prices when it possesses exceptional qualities.
How To Get An Appraisal On Your Amethyst
To get an appraisal on your Amethyst, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure that you receive an accurate and fair valuation.
First, it’s important to work with a reputable appraiser who has experience and expertise in appraising gemstones. Look for appraisers who are certified by reputable organizations, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Next, be sure to provide the appraiser with as much information as possible about your Amethyst. This includes details that are not easily seen by the naked eye, too, like the origin of Amethyst and any treatments or enhancements that may have been applied to it.
It’s also a good idea to have your Amethyst professionally cleaned and polished before getting it appraised. This will ensure that the appraiser can properly assess the gemstone’s quality and condition.
Finally, be prepared to invest in a quality appraisal. While there are many online appraisal services available, these may not provide accurate or detailed valuations. A professional appraisal from a reputable appraiser may cost more, but it will provide you with a more reliable valuation and can be used for insurance purposes or when selling the gemstone.
