Amethyst bracelets
"The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear."
Well, who doesn't want peace of mind! We should all be wearing a piece of jewelry with an amethyst, irrespective of whether or not we were born in February, so that we did not feel free from care!
If you\'re planning to buy an amethyst bracelet, here?s some fundamental information about the gemstone:
Amethyst is a type of quartz.
Amethyst contains in its core both iron oxide and manganese, which give it its purple color.
Amethyst can be transformed into further gemstones while undergoing a special type of heating treatment. These gemstones are known as Citrine and Ametrine.
Amethyst scores a 7 for hardness on the Mohs scale.
The Colors of an Amethyst Bracelet
A surprising fact that few people know : in its absolutely pure form, amethyst is entirely without color ! If your amethyst bracelet is of an extremely vivid purple hues, you are definitely possessing a piece of jewelry of very high quality. These purple hues can be of slight reddish purple or even have a bluish tinge to it. Jewelry experts state that the deeper the hue of the amethyst, the more valuable your bracelet.
If the amethyst in your bracelet is pale pink or lilac in color, this amethyst is what is known as a "Rose de France". The most sought after amethyst is known as "Siberian". The presence of this amethyst in your bracelet will enhance its overall beauty due to its very deep violet color with a tinge of red.
Buying an Amethyst Bracelet
When buying an amethyst bracelet don't just hand over dollars for your purchase right away. You may be enraptured by its beautiful design and color, but equally important is to ensure that the bracelet fits securely around your wrist, and to especially check the clasp. Customers, especially those making an online purchase, often overlook these aspects.
If you are buying online, instead of making a rough guess about the correct length of the bracelet to fit your wrist, here's a suggestion: go to a jewelry store in your area, and try out a bracelet that is roughly similar to the type you plan to buy (a single chain, or a double-linked one, etc). Hold your hand downwards at your side, and see if it slips off totally ? that?s not the right size for you! After trying out a few, you\'ll find one that should be of the right fit find out the length of that one. Also, look at bracelets with a variety of clasps and find out the types that are the least likely to be loose fitting ones.
Also, do ask about the warranty and resizing policies.
Taking Care of your Amethyst Bracelet
? Remember: an amethyst is a gemstone and, like other gemstones, its lovely color can become pale if exposed to excess heat. Hence, it is best to leave it in your safe at home when planning a relaxing day at the poolside.
Also, remove your amethyst bracelet when having your bath and when washing up utensils in the kitchen sink. The bracelet can easily hit against a tap or the sides of the sink and get faint scratches. Worse, vigorous hand movements can unloosen the clasp and the bracelet will slip off your wrist without your knowledge. The amethyst stone itself can come loose from its setting.
Most jewelry experts recommend that you avoid using any harsh detergents for cleaning your amethyst bracelet. It is far better to take it to a reputed jeweler once a year for regular cleaning and polishing. If at all you wish to spruce up your bracelet before attending a function, use a soft polishing cloth.
Also, remember to keep your amethyst bracelet in its own individual box or pouch and not get it entangled with other pieces of jewelry in a common box.
Types of Amethyst Bracelets
An amethyst bracelet can be in the form of a single chain or be two parallel chains linked together, with the gemstones interspersed between the two. It can be a slightly dangling one or fit right around the wrist against the skin. If you have a large wrist, a thick bracelet looks just fine, while a thinner wrist will look better with a slender amethyst bracelet.
The clasp of the amethyst bracelet could be a tiny spring, or a in the form of a hinge. The bracelet itself can be of sterling silver, yellow or white gold, maybe even platinum. It all depends on your preference and style. You can even match amethyst with other gemstones to form your bracelet.
Let's have a look at some amethyst bracelets:
A 14k Yellow Gold Amethyst bracelet consisting of oval faceted amethysts in a prong setting would cost over $800. The prong setting ensures that the amethysts are securely fitted in their grooves.
A Friendship bracelet made from sterling silver and strung with amethysts costs less than $40. Team it up with a pair of amethyst earrings (less than $60), and see your friend's face glow!
Those who love Swarosvski crystals can opt for the bracelet comprising of amethyst Swarovski crystal cubes. Costing about $65, it is a great buy!
A rhodium-plated bracelet with amethysts and zircons elegantly arranged will sparkle on any wrist! Cost: a little over $100.
A very popular bracelet design is one with a floral pattern. A combination of amethyst and mother-of-pearl in the shape of flowers on a sterling silver bracelet make a dramatic statement. Price range: $95 to $200
[Note: prices mentioned are approximate ones, and not actual costs]
After reading this article, if you have been tempted to purchase an amethyst bracelet as a gift, here are some people you can keep in mind:
Your sweetheart you can gift an amethyst bracelet to express your feelings of security and sincerity.
Your mother she is celebrating her fourth wedding anniversary (you can gift her one on her sixth wedding anniversary too !).
Your friend her birthday is in the month of February.
You why not buy one for yourself! Supposedly, if you put an amethyst beneath your pillow, you can have a good night ?s rest!
Other Articles