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Green Amethyst Jewelry: Their Origin, Properties And Care

Posted on: August 24, 2011

Chemically speaking Amethyst is made up of silicon dioxide and is of the quartz variety. Depending on the trace elements of other minerals that are present in the stone the color of the stone varies. Green Amethyst jewelry is quite popular these days. The actual color of the stone in its raw form is purple, but after it is being heated and chemical treated, it changes its color to green.

Amethyst is sometimes naturally available in green. It is also called prasiolite. Prasiolite originates from the Greek words "prason" and "lithos," which means "leek stone." The name has been given because when such an amethyst is found the green color resembles the shades of leek and other vegetables.Green amethyst jewelry is a favorite of women all over the world. The natural prasiolite form of the stone is very rare and hence is very expensive. But with each passing day the popularity as well as the demand for the green amethyst jewelry is increasing. Hence, to meet the rising demand the stones are heat-treated in the laboratory change their color to a sparkling shade of green. Irradiation is another method that changes the stones color to green. In the process of irradiation the colorless quartz is used instead of prasiolite; as result the green stones formed by this process is much less expensive as compared to the prasiolite ones.

Their Origin

Green Amethyst belongs to the quartz family, and this family is very commonly found all over the world. Amethyst is usually purple in color and it takes to green only depending to the amount of iron present in it. The green variety of amethyst is basically found in the Brazil and Zimbabwe mines. In the United States there are mines in Arizona and the California-Nevada border.

Special properties

this stone is associated with special properties. They are believed to possess scientific as well as mystical properties. Green amethyst jewelry is believed to possess some spiritual qualities that bring good fortune to the wearer. Scientifically speaking, the stone has magnetic properties when it is heated or rubbed. This property calls for its use as electronic components.

Caring For Them

Owing to the fact that it is a quartz gemstone, it is ranked at number 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Hence, we can conclude that it is quite durable. You can therefore use it as a regular wear. To clean a green amethyst jewelry you can soak it in warm soapy water and scrub it with a toothbrush. Be very careful not to subject them to extremely hot conditions. For intensive cleaning of the jewelry you can opt for an ultrasonic cleaner.

You can visit Jewelsite.com if you are looking for a particular shade of green amethyst jewelry.


Source: kathleenchester.articlesbase.com

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