[Jewelry making - Article 00160] - Re: [Orchid] Red amethyst?

[Wayne Emery]

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Harriet,

    Your description matches the description of a once-popular synthetic
    corundum, produced in Eastern Europe and sold widely before WWII.
    Often cut in large sizes. A quick check of the RI should provide a
    clue. Another clue is wear....amethyst will not wear for many years
    without showing some obvious abrasion...the synthetic corundum will
    generally remain like new. 

    Check the color of the stone under an incandescent light source and
    compare it to the color in daylight. Asimilar synthetic corundum has
    been masquerading as "alexandrite" for many, many years, so that is
    another possibility. 

    Value is generally low. 

Good luck,
Wayne
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