Carrying gem stones is a deal with, however one other enjoyable factor about them is discovering a number of the related historical past and lore. Most individuals know that amethyst is the birthstone for February infants. However do you know in historic instances, sporting this gem was thought-about an antidote for getting just a little too tipsy? In reality, the identify comes from amethystos, a Greek time period that interprets to “a treatment towards drunkenness,” in line with the Gemological Institute of America.
The colour resembling vino additionally led to an affiliation with the gods of wine and indulgence—Dionysus in Greek lore and Bacchus in comparable Roman tales. Some individuals additionally believed amethyst donned in battle—both in warfare or in enterprise—would preserve the wearer’s head within the recreation. Those that consider within the energy of crystals nonetheless put on the stone for inspiration and psychological vigor.
Amethyst is a kind of quartz, so right this moment, regardless of its intense magnificence and recognition, it’s normally not considered as a rarity or of utmost worth by itself. That wasn’t all the time the case, although. These semi-precious gems had been as soon as as extremely valued by royalty as treasured stones like emeralds, rubies, and sapphires once they had been primarily mined in Russia. They had been additionally related to higher-ranking clergy and often worn by bishops.
After an abundance of this gem was present in Brazil within the 1800s and extra found in different components of the world later, it grew to become extra extensively out there. The need for these beautiful purple stones at a variety of value factors expanded, however that by no means discouraged the usage of essentially the most lovely specimens in adornment produced by excessive jewelers.
Amethyst in Vintage Jewellery
Whereas amethysts, each cabochons and faceted varieties, could be discovered in lots of items of historic jewellery residing in museums, the oldest examples jewellery aficionados run throughout for buy are normally set into Georgian designs. Since these have been thought-about scarce for some time now, lovers of older jewellery typically flip to Victorian examples to get their amethyst repair extra readily.
From pendant earrings to lovely brooches and even cameos carved from amethyst, it’s not too exhausting to search out jewellery produced from the mid-to late-1800s embellished with different hues of those purple gems. One of many lightest is a light-weight purple coloration with a pink tinge nicknamed “Rose de France,” which has its personal following amongst collectors.
Regardless that the stones aren’t intrinsically extremely valued, vintage jewellery set with amethysts is a distinct story. Probably the most intricate and fascinating designs, whether or not made from gold or silver, promote into the hundreds, and even plainer items can carry tons of.
Effective Jewellery Incorporating Amethyst
There are lots of notables on the earth of tremendous jewellery identified for creating small artistic endeavors adorned with these semi-precious stones. Certainly one of them was the Parisian agency based by René Boivin within the Eighteen Nineties. These items change palms by high-end public sale homes, they usually’re merely beautiful. For the reason that agency is not in enterprise, not everyone seems to be aware of the model, however different very recognizable firms additionally made good use of those gems.
The famed “Chook on a Rock” design by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. was produced in amethyst variations, and Cartier reciprocated with their “Free as a Chook” pendants. One other famed Cartier bib necklace exquisitely highlighting completely matched amethysts with turquoise accents was worn by the Duchess of Windsor within the Fifties, they usually’ve used them in lots of different designs as nicely.
Others like Van Cleef & Arpels and David Webb have additionally elevated this kind of quartz to new heights. Due to the standard and identify recognition, buying any of those items can require deep pockets, with $10,000 being a place to begin and transferring into the excessive five-figure territory. A couple of better of the most effective designs high the $100,000 mark.
Reasonably priced Amethyst Jewellery
If you happen to had been hoping so as to add a chunk of amethyst jewellery to your individual stash or choose up some items you possibly can flip for a revenue, that’s not an issue in any respect. Decrease-quality amethyst jewellery is available within the market in each classic and newer varieties. You’ll discover designs set in 10-karat gold for $100 or much less, whereas 14-karat gold settings can promote larger however will also be bargain-priced often. The value additionally depends upon the age and elegance of the piece and whether or not accent stones like diamonds encompass the stone(s).
Amethysts set in sterling silver could be essentially the most reasonably priced of all. It’s not unusual to search out silver for a hoop, pair of earrings, or pendant necklace set with cheap real stones (normally gentle in coloration) within the $25-50 vary. Some are artwork deco revival designs made a lot later than the Nineteen Twenties and ‘30s, so take care when pinning a date on them.
If you wish to step up your silver recreation relating to classic jewellery adorned with these purple gems, that’s definitely attainable. Mexican silver artisans working in Taxco from the Thirties by the ‘60s additionally made many lovely examples out there for $100-200. Nonetheless, these marked by the most effective Taxco workshops like Antonio Pineda, Hector Aguilar, and the grasp William Spratling will promote for significantly extra.
Many different jewellery designers, together with John Hardy and David Yurman, integrated these purple gems into silver jewellery choices starting within the Seventies and ‘80s. Costs have moderated for fairly just a few of these types in comparison with what they had been price within the aughts and 2010s, however they nonetheless have their followers and advantage a re-examination so long as you do some pricing analysis earlier than spending an excessive amount of on them.
Imitations in Costume Jewellery
You would possibly assume that purple glass stones simulating amethysts could be essentially the most cheap of all. In some instances, they’re certainly on par with lesser high quality silver types promoting from $20-40 or so. However there are additionally some actual beauties that carry tons of and even hundreds out within the classic market.
For example, Joseff of Hollywood jewellery incorporating imitation amethysts can simply promote within the tons of and typically carry much more. Many different vogue jewellery firms created sought-after jewellery with purple stones within the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, too, together with Schreiner, Trifari, and Hobé, so all the time preserve that in thoughts as you’re evaluating your finds.
Pamela Siegel is a contract author and creator who has been educating collectors for greater than twenty years. Along with three books on subjects regarding antiques and collectibles, she often shares her experience by on-line writing and articles for print-based publications. Pamela can be the co-founder of Costume Jewellery Collectors Int’l (CJCI) and the proprietor of Stylish Antiques by Pamela.
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