[Jewelry making - Article 00471] - Re: [Orchid] Red amethyst?

[Wayne Emery]

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Hi Harriet,

    IMO, a picture of your material would not be very revealing. Color
    and saturation are only a slight clue to identity, and good
    gemologists have learned to trust their instruments before their
    eyes in many cases. 

    Because the luster and RI of amethyst is so different from the
    synthetic (or natural) corundums mentioned, however, a simple glance
    would differentiate the two. 

    Any jeweler with entry level tools (refractometer) would quickly be
    able to differentiate these materials. 

    Also, while lab grown quartz is available for under US$100/kilo in
    the rough grown crystal form, finer amethyst that ALMOST looks as
    good as some of the grown material, and has a MUCH higher cutting
    loss factor due to inclusions, banding and proper cutting
    orientation can easily cost $1500 -2000/kilo. Or did LAST year! The
    falling dollar will add 30-40% to that cost this year here. I
    regularly sell custom cut high end natural quartz for $50-60 per
    carat and it is a bargain at that price. Fine natural material is
    not easy to find and it can be stunning. Four Peaks material with
    mediocre (my opinion) cutting is often seen at $75/c and more. 

    You said that "the mount says so much about the stone...". Could you
    explain. Here it is not unusual to see synthetics in expensive
    mountings, and many if not most, of the small sapphire we see in Art
    Deco platinum pieces we synthetic, as well. IOW, it is not prudent
    to make guess about the stone based on the mounting, but perhaps you
    meant something else?

Wayne
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