Amethyst

Amethyst is a form of mineral quartz. Its color ranges from light to dark purple.

Amethyst's hardness is 7, similar to emerald and tourmaline. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause the color to fade.

Amethyst occurs worldwide. The main extraction sites are in Brazil,

Until the seventeenth century, it was among the most valuable gemstones along with diamond, ruby emerald and sapphire. After the discovery of large deposits, however, its value dropped. Amethyst today is counted among semi-precious stones.