Quartz is found in every corner of
the earth. In its purest form it is colorless, but it
is most prized for its purple and golden varieties. As
a purple gemstone, it is known as Amethyst. It was worn
by the ancient Romans as a talisman to ward off the intoxicating
powers of Bacchus.
Amethyst, the traditional February birthstone, is available
in small and large sizes, although as with many gemstones,
very large sizes in rich, deep colors have always been
rare. Designers celebrate Amethyst as the ideal choice
for jewelry because of its regal color, variety of sizes
and shapes, affordability, and wide tonal range, from
light to dark purple. While Brazil is a primary source
for all colored quartzes, Zambia is also a significant
source for Amethyst.
