In February, all eyes turn to Amethyst, the birthstone of the month, renowned for its deep, rich purple hue with a paisley undertone reminiscent of a mystical twilight. But did you know that this fascinating gem can occur in more than just shades of purple?
Ametrine, a rare bi-coloured quartz that naturally blends the vibrant purple of Amethyst with the golden yellow of Citrine, all in a single gem. This remarkable gemstone is sourced almost exclusively from the Anahí Mine in southeastern Bolivia, a deposit that is famous for producing high-quality Amethyst, Citrine, and Ametrine.
The Forming of Ametrine
The signature purple colour in Amethyst comes from iron impurities within the quartz structure. When the quartz is exposed to natural gamma radiation, it alters the oxidation state of the iron, resulting in the beautiful purple to violet hue. While Citrine’s golden colour also originates from iron, it undergoes a different oxidation state. In Ametrine, the colour zoning occurs due to temperature gradient during crystal formation, with Citrine developing at slightly higher temperatures than Amethyst.
Ametrine is commonly cut into rectangular or step-cut shapes to enhance its natural colour zoning, making the contrast between the purple and golden-yellow more visible. The sharp, clean facets of a rectangular cut allow the gemstone to display both colours side by side, creating a stunning gradient effect.
We warmly invite you to embark on a journey of discovery as we unveil the enchanting beauty of Ametrine at Fujimori Kajita, Takashimaya Department Store Level 1.
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