Although purple gemstones are not the most used in jewelry because there are not many stones of this color. These are gems that are related to royalty and nobility, power and wealth. Without a doubt, a luxurious color that represents prestige and class. Therefore, wearing jewelry with purple gemstones, in addition to adding a touch of sophistication and elegance, is also a very striking color.
Although there are variations of this color such as violet, lilac, lavender, mauve, blackberry and wine. For those who are looking for a stone of this color, we have prepared a list of the most beautiful purple gemstones used in jewelry and their characteristics, which will surely help you choose.
Image by sara grave from Pixabay
purple diamonds
Features:
- An exclusive gemstone
- extremely rare
- Very expensive
- Synthetic and improved varieties available
Purple diamonds are created when a large amount of hydrogen is present during diamond formation. These spectacular stones are very rare and expensive, especially if the stone is vivid and saturated in color. However, the improved or synthetic alternatives are relatively much more affordable. Purple diamonds are known by a variety of nicknames, including lilac, orchid, lavender, grape, and plum diamonds that describe the color of the stone. these are high quality purple gemstones, generally sought after by collectors and diamond enthusiasts or those with a penchant for unique jewelry.
Amethyst
Features:
- Most popular purple stone
- found abundantly
- Affordable
- good toughness
- not very hard
Amethysts are the best known violet gemstone. In the past, amethysts were considered a cardinal gemstone (gemstones considered precious above all others) and were on a par with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. However, when large deposits were found in Brazil, the value of amethysts fell, making it an affordable gemstone that fits almost every budget.
Amethysts come in all shades of purple, and those that show the deepest purple hues are considered the best. Amethysts are durable enough for use in all types of jewelry (7 Mohs) but require reasonable care to maintain their brilliance and color. They can be easily scratched and due to their brittleness, they can chip or crack when exposed to rough wear. The color of amethysts can also fade if exposed to direct light for too long. However, if well maintained, amethyst jewelry can last a lifetime.
purple chalcedony
Features:
- quite durable
- Vitreous – waxy sheen
- relatively affordable
Purple chalcedony comes in beautiful shades of purple from light lilac to dark purple. Purple chalcedony is usually translucent to opaque, with a vitreous to waxy sheen. It has a very attractive appearance with a rich natural color.
Chalcedony has a microcrystalline structure with no crystalline formations inside it. As a result, it is compact, does not contain crevices and is very durable. Violet chalcedony is a resistant stone with medium hardness (6.5 to 7 Mohs). Most chalcedony is either cabochon cut or used in beautiful carvings and engravings. However, sometimes these stones are faceted to add more depth and play of light to the piece of jewelry. Chalcedony jewelry is ideal for ethnic and bohemian jewelry designs.
purple spinel
Features:
- very durable
- something weird
- relatively affordable
- Very bright
Purple spinel comes in a variety of shades, with lilac and mauve being considered the most attractive. However, it is not as valuable or sought after as red and blue spinel. Purple Spinel is a relatively affordable and durable gemstone (Mohs 8) suitable for everyday wear. It is a brilliant gemstone and due to this fact it is often cut into faceted gemstone shapes to enhance the brilliance. Purple spinel has been synthesized but is rarely enhanced or treated, meaning the color you see in a purple spinel stone is likely to be natural.
iolite
Features:
- Popular
- Very abundant
- not expensive
- good shine
- not very durable
Although iolites are highly sought after gemstones, they are quite impressive and can rival the beauty of more expensive blue stones such as sapphire or tanzanite. It is a very bright stone that occurs in blue-violet tones, but due to its abundance, it is not highly valued. Iolite has a distinct cleavage that makes it susceptible to chipping or cracking if hit hard. However, it has a fairly good hardness (7 to 7.5 Mohs) and can be used in almost all types of jewelry. When mounted in rings, it is best to place iolite in protective configurations such as bezel or halo. Beautifully faceted iolite shimmers with an eye-catching brilliance. Iolite is perfect for jewelry where it can catch the light, such as a ring or drop earrings.
purple jade
Features:
- fair hardness
- Very rude
- Comes in two varieties
- waxy shine
Most people think of green when they say the word jade, but jade comes in a variety of colors, including beautiful shades of purple. There are two varieties of jade: nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite is more abundant and less expensive, while jadeite is considered to be of better quality and is more expensive.
Purple jade is quite soft (6 Mohs) but is very tough due to its compact composition. Purple jade is found in translucent to opaque varieties and has a smooth, waxy sheen. Most jade is often cut into cabochons or various special smooth or carved cuts. Faceted jade is less common, but can give the gemstone additional depth.
purple sapphire
Features:
- Rare sapphire color
- Often without treatment
- excellent durability
- Oddly enough
Let’s say sapphire and think of a vivid blue gemstone. But there is the purple sapphire, which is rarer and just as beautiful as its blue counterparts. Trace elements such as chromium, which is present during the formation of sapphire, are produced in this color. Many people sometimes confuse purple sapphires with amethysts, but purple sapphires are a more durable and hard gemstone (Mohs 9), second only to diamonds but with better hardness. They are extremely resistant to breaking and chipping.
While most other sapphires on the market are heat treated to improve color and clarity, purple sapphires are generally untreated because they have very good natural coloration. Due to their brilliance and durability, these sapphires are an excellent choice if you want a purple gemstone for an everyday piece of jewelry, such as an engagement ring.