Value of an Amethyst Ring in Silver

Background

• Amethyst is crystalline quartz that ranges in color from pale lavender to deep purple. Amethysts once mined in Siberia were the most sought-after because they produced stones with a deep, rich color that had a blue or red highlights. Those mines have long been worked out and no new Siberian amethysts are available. The term "Siberian" now refers to the amethyst's high-grade color and not where it was mined. Prior to 1900, amethysts were fairly rare and considered quite valuable.

Amethyst Value

• Amethysts are now considered a common stone and so do not command a high price. In 2010, top quality gems sold for between $8 and $25 a carat. Large amethyst mines have been discovered in Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay and Zambia. Brazil, in particular, has produced very large stones, but the color is not considered high quality, according to the Gemology Society. Siberian grade stones are valued the highest. Amethysts can be manufactured and it can be difficult to tell the difference between a man-made stone and a natural stone, another factor that has affected prices.

Silver

• The amethyst is only one component of a ring, and one must also take into consideration the metal used in the jewelry before determining a value. At one time, silver had nearly as much value as gold, but the value dropped markedly through history, as more silver mines were discovered. In fact, silver prices in 1780 were far higher than in 2010. As production of silver increases, the price is expected to continue to decrease.

Determining Value

• Determining value of an amethyst ring, taking into consideration the quality of the stone and the amount of silver in the ring, is still a fairly subjective process. The cut of the amethyst, whether it has inclusions (flaws), and its color and clarity are the most important factors in determining value.

  Many experts have a saying that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. While this old adage is not much help to those curious about the value of a piece of jewelry, it is often a true statement.

Popular Stone

• Even though amethyst, which once ranked in value with rubies and diamonds, is no longer an extremely valuable stone, it is one of the most popular. Its color variations are appealing to many people, and it is often paired with other precious gems.