Gemstone Glossary

Thaigem.com features one of the world's most extensive collections of amethyst gem stones including the world's best deep purple amethyst with red flashes from Uruguay. Ideal for all kinds of amethyst jewelry including (but not limited to) amethyst earrings, amethyst necklaces and amethyst rings, Thaigem.com stocks a wide range of shapes including Antique, Baguette, Marquise, Octagon, Oval, Pear, Trilliant and some remarkable Fancy cuts in sizes from a few points up to several carats. As we buy direct from the source our prices can't be beaten but we never compromise on quality. Our collection of amethyst is available to purchase as single gemstones, matched pairs or calibrated lots in both millimeter gradations and carat weights.


Amethyst's intense color and relative availability have ensured its popularity throughout the millennia. Amethyst has been popular as a gem since Pre-Roman times. The wine-loving Greeks even believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication while medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle. Most of the high-grade amethyst mined today comes from Uruguay, southern Brazil and Africa.

Amethyst is actually a form of Quartz - one of the most common substances on earth. Tiny amounts of iron and aluminum turn ordinary clear quartz into amethyst. All forms of quartz (including amethyst) are piezoelectric, making for important applications in electronics. Tourmaline is the only other gemstone that possesses this property.

Amethyst ranges from pale to dark violet. The finest qualities of amethyst are a medium dark violet with a strong secondary red color. Darker shades of amethyst may display slight color fluctuations under different light sources.

Amethyst of all qualities is available in all sizes and shapes. Light amethyst will be very low in per carat prices while even the finest qualities are still very reasonably priced.