Opinions on Amethysts

[Wyntery]

I have been looking for a nice amethyst for what seems like ages. (So long in fact that my original design has changed!) I pulled the trigger a while ago on a four peaks stone, but when I received it it just seemed 'dead'. For a stone that's so abundant, it seems so hard to find a smaller, well cut gem!
I have narrowed the search to three stones: from Jeff Davis, Gene and Lloyd Forrester. I will be using small 5mm trillion spess as side stones in yellow gold. Opinions appreciated!

First from Jeff:


Second from Gene:


Third from Lloyd:

 

[velouriaL]

I don't know much about amethysts, but I think that they are relatively low luster and RI, so no matter how awesome they cutting, they're not really going to sparkle. I think color-- or creativity of cutting-- is really the draw with amethysts.

So, in terms of color, the three you picked are all really different. It really just depends which one you like the best! I think I'd probably go for the Jeff White because it's more of the the "royal purple" shade I prefer, and that I think is consider "top color." I like the cutting, too. I think it would look really nice in yellow gold. The Gene is included, but the color is really pretty. It looks like it might have some red flashes that are consider desirable in amethyst. The Lloyd one in pretty, too, if you want a lighter color. Which do *you* prefer?

Also, is this a ring? If so, be careful! Amethyst is quartz and not really that hardy, so it should only be worn on a ring for special occasions and carefully.

 

[chrono]

Regular amethysts are plentiful but those with blue or red flash aren't. If you want something big and different, Uruguay and Zambian material are excellent with a rich reddish purple hue. The Georgian material is harder to find these days, at least those with strong blue. 4 Peaks tend to be zoned. None of the 3 shown appeal to me. The first looks too dark, the second is also dark and possibly not eye clean whilst the third is considered pastel for an amethyst. What are YOU looking for?

 

[marymm]

If you are solid on using the 5mm trillion spessartites, have you matched them up to various purples to see which color combo works the best? I have a pair of bright orange citrine 4mm rounds and I was very surprised to see that they actually went quite well with a medium-to-medium-light purple spinel (not that I am going that route... I was checking out mm sizes for a possible three-stone).

Anyway, if your spessartites are like Fanta orange, the Jeff White would be my first pick. Based on the pics alone I do not care at all for the Gene Flanigan amethyst. I do really like the lighter purple amethyst, and if your garnets are a light bright orange, this combo may work... but if your spess garnets have a brown modifier I'm not sure which if any of these ammys would work.

 

[SirensandAngels]

I personally prefer the checkerboard cut of the second one as its more unusual, however, if you are matching with orange gems I'd choose the first gem as its the darkest royal purple shade and I love that color mixed with bright orange.

 

[chrono]

Vel and M
The first amethyst is from Jeff Davies, not Jeff White. It's the other Jeff.

 

[innerkitten]

I like the colorado amethysts. You can buy them from the owner of the mine. Here is the link. The stones are from four peaks and other locations.
http://www.coloradogem.com/index.php?display=Amethyst_Gemstones

 

[Wyntery]

I really like the colour of Gene's stone, but you are all right, it does have some visible inclusions. I really like the cut of Lloyd's stone and Jeff's is nice too. They are all in the region of 8-10mm (I'm only after a smallish stone).

Innerkitten: Thanks for the link to Colorado Gems. There is one stone which may be a candidate even if it is slightly too large at 12mm. It is an afghan stone.

Chrono: This is my ideal colour:

 

[chrono]

The tone is very dark in that picture. I think you are attracted to the flash, which comes from the cutting. Even so, amethyst is a low RI stone and you will not see such flash often, only under an extremely specific light condition only. Remember that vendors glamourize their stones, some far more than others. I suspect this one is highly adjusted.

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Members have reported here in the past that Jeff's stones *tend* to be darker in tone in real life than in his photos. Some like the dark tones in stones like amethyst.