Processing is very labor intensive and includes washing, sorting, cobbing, sawing and final sizing and grading of large amounts of material. Excavators and bulldozers are used to strip, dig and expose the amethyst veins followed by mining with pick and shovel. At present, there are about 60 registered mining plots but only about 10 can be considered active producers. The growth of amethyst crystals takes form in a wide interconnected grid of cavities, occurring when the host rock was uncovered due to great stress and movement.Īmethyst has been mined here since its discovery in the late 1950s. In our quest to procure only high-quality amethyst, it takes sorting of multiple parcels sourced from the Lusaka amethyst miners.Īmethyst crystallization in Zambia progresses as the cooling hydrothermal fluids gets filled in cracks in marbles and granitic gneisses. However, Zambia in South Africa the same country where Shop LC gets our supply of premium quality amethyst in desirable dark purple. In comparison to other amethyst varieties, such as Bahia, Moroccan, Rose De France, and Uruguayan, amethyst from Lusaka displays strong purples tones with the flickers of red and indigo.Ĭonsider Lusaka amethyst if you love iolite, rhodolite garnet, sapphire, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline and other bright blue or violet gems! Where Does Lusaka Amethyst Come From?īrazil, Uruguay and South America are few of the countries exporting amethyst today. Lusaka amethyst portrays a gorgeous blue-violet shade. How Does Lusaka Amethyst Compare to Other Blue-Violet Stones? Someone looking for a contemporary twist on a traditional look can opt for amethyst jewelry complementing black or green clothing. This gemstone owns gorgeous blue-violet sparkles that pairs perfectly with glistering yellow, radiating red or even calming whites. The most appreciated trend today are necklaces with big amethyst stones. From Ancient Egypt to the twentieth century, there are many significant amethyst jewelry pieces. The color of royalty, Lusaka amethyst is a versatile gemstone, perfect for any jewelry style from rings, earrings, bracelets to pendants. A lined jewelry box is the perfect place for storing amethyst jewelry. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe, but sonic cleaners should be avoided. Soapy water is safe for cleaning amethyst. Hydrofluoric acid, alkaline solutions and ammonium fluoride can damage the gemstone. Even prolonged exposure to strong light can cause fading. Sudden temperature changes can result in fractures to amethyst. With a good toughness, amethyst is a durable gemstone if proper measures are taken to prevent scratches or abrasions. With a hardness of seven on Mohs scale, amethyst is an excellent choice for all jewelry types. The enhancement is stable, and requires no additional special care. This treatment method improves existing color in the stone. Lusaka amethyst may occasionally undergo heat treatment. Since this gemstone is abundant, it’s a great choice for anyone desiring a larger stone.Īt Shop LC, Lusaka amethyst typically ranges in size from 1.5mm to 18mm. Brilliant cuts, step cuts and mixed cuts are some common cutting styles popular for faceted amethyst.Īs amethyst is readily available in larger sizes, but its price per carat remains steady. Shapes includes baguette, cushion, heart, marquise, oval, round, pear, trillion and others. It is a gemstone displaying pleochroism meaning additional tones of red and blue can appear depending on the direction at which light strikes the gem.Īt Shop LC, Lusaka amethyst is obtainable in standard calibrated shapes and cuts. Lusaka amethyst possess remarkable clarity compared to other varieties. African amethyst, especially from Zambia, often has more inclusions than Brazilian amethyst. Flickers of red indicates a truly extraordinary amethyst specimen.įaceted amethyst in market today is eye-clean and lacks noticeable inclusions. An amethyst with a 75-80-percent darker purple color and up to 20-percent of secondary blue hue adds to its depth. Lusaka amethyst with well-concentrated purple and blue-violet hues and flickers of red and indigo is typically considered the most desirable. The value of amethyst is majorly determined by its color.
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