Stunning Pear Cut Genuine 17.54 Carat Purple Amethyst with Certificate of Appraisal. Appraisal lists weight, refractive index, double refraction, dispersion, Moh's hardness, and specific gravity, as well as an approximate insurance replacement value. 

Condition: See appraisal. Overall excellent. 

Size: 3/4 x 7/8 in. 

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the Ancient Greek “amethystos” which loosely means “intoxicate,” a reference to their belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. A semiprecious stone, amethyst is often used in jewelry and has been utilized by civilizations around the world for thousands of years. Tibetans consider amethyst sacred to the Buddha and still make prayer beads from it. Amethyst is considered the birthstone of February. In the Middle Ages, it was considered a symbol of royalty and used to decorate English regalia, and throughout the Old World amethyst was considered one of the cardinal gems, in that it was one of the five gemstones considered precious above all others. The color is due to irradiation and impurities of iron in the quartz, and the highest-quality amethyst can be found in Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Uruguay, and East Asia. Amethyst can fade in tone if overexposed to light sources, and can be artificially darkened with adequate irradiation. It does not fluoresce under either short-wave or long-wave UV light. Collectors look for depth of color, possibly with red flashes if cut conventionally. As amethyst is readily available in large structures, the value of the gem is not primarily defined by carat weight. This is different from most gemstones, since the carat weight typically exponentially increases the value of the stone. The biggest factor in the value of amethyst is the color displayed. The most highly graded amethyst (called deep Russian) is exceptionally rare. The most suitable setting for gem amethyst is a prong or a bezel setting. Amethyst has a good hardness, and handling it with proper care will prevent any damage to the stone. Amethyst is sensitive to strong heat and may lose or change its color when exposed to prolonged heat or light. Polishing the stone or cleaning it by ultrasonic or steaming must be done with caution.

See appraisal. Overall excellent. 

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