Crystals are dark but rather small. Because of the patchyness of the color distribution in the crystals, Amethyst is often cut as brilliant round cuts to maximize the color. Other cuts can be used when the color is better distributed. The color purple is traditionally the color of royalty and amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers. Today, amethyst is a lovely and affordable gemstone that is fortunately available in a wide variety of cut and uncut stones that we can all possess and admire.
Amethyst is only one of several quartz varieties.
Citrine is a yellow to orange gemstone variety that is rare in nature but is often created by heating Amethyst. Milky Quartz is the cloudy white variety. Rock crystal is the clear variety that is also used as a gemstone. Rose quartz is a pink to reddish pink variety. Smoky quartz is the brown to gray variety.