Hello, newbie here with a question about green amethyst- is it created?

[Icy Melona]

Hi all,

I''ve been lurking for the last few months and decided to take the plunge and sign up and ask all you experts and fellow gemlovers out there about lovely big baubles! I love and adore gemstones and pearls (no pearls allowed, I know).

My question is about green amethyst, is there such a thing as green amethyst or is this something that''s created gem? Thank you!

 

[FrekeChild]

Doopy doopy doo....

<--this is me right now because I''m going crazy!!! (Thank goodness for PS keeping me sane-ish)

link

 

[Icy Melona]

Thank you for the link! I''ve had one jeweller who advised that green amethyst is a natural gem- referring to most green amethyst on market.

 

[Richard M.]

Date: 6/19/2008 2:40:42 AM
Author: Icy Melona
Thank you for the link! I''ve had one jeweller who advised that green amethyst is a natural gem- referring to most green amethyst on market.

Words, words, words...

Most "greened" amethyst (also called prasiolite) is natural. It''s naturally-occurring amethyst that has been turned greenish by heat and irradiation. The word "natural" (as opposed to "synthetic" or "created") can be tricky. For instance the coated topaz on the current market is "natural" topaz that has been color-enhanced by coating. Many "natural" diamonds have been color-enhanced by various "unnatural" processes, etc.

Much of the current confusion over "green" amethyst is due to marketing. It has traditionally been called "greened amethyst," but several years ago marketers, especially on TV, coined the "green amethyst" term which of course has an entirely different meaning. Both terms are admittedly confusing and contradictory, but at least "greened amethyst" implies some human involvement in making the color difference.

Be aware that green quartz, made entirely in laboratories, is also being sold (especially on eBay) under many names.

Richard M.

 

[AfricanGems]

Hi,

Gemologically there is no such thing as Green Amethyst. It is impossible for it to exist based on the conditions that Amethyst must possess a purple colouration. It is true that some Amethyst can be heat treated to a Green colour but with the colour change from purple to green due to the treatment the name Amethyst is lost and it should be referred to as Green Quartz or Prasiolite as Richard stated. It is important to remember that Prasiolite can also be created by heating some Citrines, hence the necessity to name it according to the post-treatment colouration.

Paul

 

[jewelerman]

What Richard said.