Amethyst: The Forgotten 5th Precious Gemstone

November 25, 2025

Amethyst: The Forgotten 5th Precious Gemstone

For most people today, the list of precious gemstones includes only four: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. But what many don’t realize is that for hundreds of years, amethyst was also considered a precious gem—equal in status, symbolism, and value to the Big Four.

So why was amethyst once a precious gemstone?
And why did it lose that elite status?

Let’s explore the story of the “forgotten 5th gemstone.”

---

⭐ Why Amethyst Was Once a Precious Gem

Before the 19th century, amethyst was extremely rare. High-quality purple crystals were found only in limited regions, usually in small quantities. Because of this rarity:

• Royal families used amethyst in crowns and ceremonial jewelry

• The Catholic Church used it in bishop rings

• Ancient Greeks and Romans carved it into talismans

• It was traded at the same value as emeralds and sapphires

Its deep purple color symbolized:

• Power

• Nobility

• Wisdom

• Spiritual protection

For centuries, amethyst was regarded as one of the world’s most valuable gemstones.

---

💎 What Changed? Why Amethyst Lost Its “Precious” Status

The turning point came in the 1800s, when massive amethyst deposits were discovered in:

• Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul)

• Uruguay

• Parts of Africa

These new sources made amethyst far more abundant, dramatically lowering its price.
And in gemology, rarity = value.

Because amethyst became easier to find and mine, the jewelry industry reclassified it as a semiprecious gemstone, even though its beauty and symbolism remained the same.

---

🔮 What Makes Amethyst Special Today

Though no longer priced like ruby or emerald, amethyst remains one of the world’s most beloved gemstones:

✨ 1. A Distinctive Purple Color

From lavender to deep royal purple, no other natural gemstone has this range of iconic purple tones.

✨ 2. Spiritual & Healing Associations

Many cultures believe amethyst promotes:

• Calm

• Focus

• Balance

• Protection

✨ 3. Affordable Luxury

You can own a large, gorgeous gemstone at a fraction of the price of other stones.

✨ 4. February Birthstone

Amethyst is the birthstone for February and a favorite for symbolic jewelry.

---

⭐ Is Amethyst Precious Again?

Some gem experts argue that the highest-grade amethyst—deep purple with red flashes—has become harder to find and deserves renewed recognition.

Collectors now seek:

• Siberian-grade amethyst

• Uruguayan royal-purple stones

• Large flawless specimens

These premium gems are rare and rise in value, reviving interest in amethyst as the “Sleeping Queen” of gemstones.

---

🟣 Conclusion: The Fifth Precious Gemstone, Remembered

Amethyst’s history is unique:
It was once treasured like diamonds, then forgotten as deposits grew, yet today appreciated again for its unmistakable color and beauty.

While gemologists no longer classify it as officially “precious,” many jewelers, historians, and collectors still consider amethyst the “forgotten 5th precious gemstone.”

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

---

Also in Articles