Amazing Amethyst

Did you know that Liz Taylor enjoyed the adoration and attention of her husband so much that he handpicked...

Did you know that Liz Taylor enjoyed the adoration and attention of her husband so much that he handpicked amethysts to be crafted by Van Cleef 038; Arples merely to convey how much he loved Liz8217;s legendry violet eyes! Feeling jealous? You don8217;t have to be and here8217;s why.

Amethyst originates from the Greek word 8216;Amethuskein8217; or 8216;Amethystos which means 8216;sober8217; or 8216;not intoxicated8217;. This mineral gemstone is the most fabulously transparent member of the macrocrystalline Quartz. Manganese impurities lend colour while iron controls the colour intensity. Though in its purest form, it is colourless. The coloured amethyst ranges from pale lilacs to deep purples. This pocket-friendly gem is globally available and is majorly sourced from Canada, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, Africa and Brazil. South American amethyst leads in size and a better colour saturation are seen in those from Africa. Brazil contributes the famous pale coloured Rose-de-France.

Amethyst represents spirituality and ancient wisdom. For ages it has been valued for its mystical abilities and healing power as much as it is admired by jewellery lovers for its rare combination of an iceberg charm and understated sensuality. Ancient cultures wore amethyst amulets as an antidote for poison. It was believed to prevent intoxication and so the Greek carved exquisite wine goblets out of it! Leonardo Da Vinci believed amethyst to dissipate evil and sharpen intelligence. Fine amethysts feature in the British Crown Jewels. The likes of Russian Empress Catherine the Great graced the amethyst connoisseurs list. One of the largest cut amethysts in the world weighs 343 carats and lies with The National History Museum, London.

The amethyst palette, available in large range of calibrated shapes and sizes, effortlessly adds eacute;lan to most jewellery forms. Let it be an Indian narrative enamelled piece, a geometric western design and even an abstract filigree piece of jewellery. Rose-de-France truly justifies the well-crafted Victorian jewellery. The richer purple hues deserve a royal salute for boldly beaming in plain collets as both rings and earrings. Visualize a chinnon saree in lavender and make a statement with a neckpiece in amethysts and diamonds. Team your plain blue/ pink/ gray/ maroon silks set in rich purple brocade borders with amethyst set in yellow gold reflecting Indian design sensibilities and you can8217;t go wrong.

It8217;s time to raise a toast to the rich hue and go vintage this season best captured by Just Cavalli8217;s winter 2008 collection and Nine West for footwear both in leather and patent. For a more subtle look, one may play up the jewellery with frames and scarves by D038;G. Back home one may opt for the minimalistic approach of Namrata Joshipura or the opulent combinations by Rohit Bal. And if you still doubt the royal quotient, remember Akshay8217;s purple throne in 8216;Sinngh is King8217;. So let the lush lilacs and lavenders in. Before I wind up, please do not try and clean amethyst jewellery at home since it is highly sensitive and becomes pale with exposure to sudden temperature changes and strong chemical exposure. A professional shall also keep the setting technique in mind.

The writer is a city-based researcher specialising in jewellery art and can be contacted at sameeraahaan02gmail.com