Green Amethyst or Prasiolite is one of the popular green varieties of quartz. Although prassiolite is not often found in nature, it can be produced by heating natural amethyst. When heated, amethyst typically turns yellow or orange, yielding citrine. But when amethyst is treated, some of it turns green. With the hardness of 7, this prasiolite is found in Brazil and the USA.
Benefits of Green Amethyst:
Promote spiritual well-being: An Astrologer recommends green amethyst for people’s emotional well-being. This stone makes the wearer strong to overcome difficulties and hurdles. This gives a positive view towards the life and makes one emotionally strong.
Improve communication skills: Due to its green color, it is associated with the mercury planet. It is responsible for good communication and bringing improvement in oratory skills. It also improves confidence and speech related disorders.
Effective health benefits: When a mercury is malefic, it gives many negative effects on health such as heart or respiratory problems. Wearing a green amethyst improves the heart and respiratory system.
Formation of Green Amethyst:
Unlike traditional purple amethyst, which is widely known for its deep violet hues, green amethyst undergoes a transformation that gives it its soft, elegant green shade.
Natural Formation of Green Amethyst
In nature, green amethyst is formed when purple amethyst is exposed to high temperatures and specific geological conditions. This process typically occurs deep within the Earth, where volcanic activity and geothermal heat cause the iron impurities in amethyst to change their oxidation state, leading to the green coloration. However, naturally occurring green amethyst is rare and primarily found in select locations, such as Brazil and Poland.
Heat Treatment Process
Since natural green amethyst is scarce, most of the prasiolite available in the market is created through heat treatment. This involves carefully heating natural amethyst to a temperature range of 500–600°C (932–1112°F), which alters its internal crystal structure and turns it green. This process mimics the natural geological conditions that would produce Prasiolite over thousands or even millions of years. Some amethyst deposits, particularly from Montezuma, Brazil, respond well to this controlled heating and result in high-quality green amethyst gemstones.
History of Green Amethyst:
Amethyst itself has been cherished since ancient times by civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. It was believed to bring clarity, protection, and spiritual insight. However, naturally occurring Prasiolite was so rare that it was virtually unknown in ancient gem markets.
Discovery of Green Amethyst
The transformation of amethyst into prasiolite was first observed in Brazil in the 19th century, when miners noticed that some deposits turned green when exposed to natural heat from volcanic activity. This accidental discovery led to experiments with controlled heat treatment, which revealed that certain varieties of amethyst could be transformed into prasiolite under specific conditions.
Modern Recognition & Popularity
By the 20th century, gemologists and jewelers began commercially producing green amethyst by heating select amethyst from Brazilian mines. The name “Prasiolite” comes from the Greek words prason (meaning leek) and lithos (meaning stone), referring to its greenish hue. Despite its beauty, Prasiolite remains relatively rare in jewelry compared to its purple counterpart, but it has gained popularity among gemstone enthusiasts, spiritual healers, and collectors.
Quality of Green Amethyst:
The quality of Green Amethyst, also known as Prasiolite, depends on several key factors, including color, clarity, cut, and origin. While it is a relatively rare variety of quartz, understanding its quality can help buyers make informed decisions when choosing a gemstone for jewelry or collection purposes.
1. Color
The most desirable Prasiolite exhibits a soft, transparent green hue, ranging from pale mint green to a deeper olive green. The finest quality stones have a consistent, medium-light green tone, without any brownish or yellowish tints. Stones that are too pale or too dark may be considered lower quality.
2. Clarity
Green amethyst is typically found with high clarity, meaning that high-quality stones are mostly free from visible inclusions or internal flaws. A clean, transparent appearance enhances the stone’s brilliance and value. Since quartz is naturally formed, minor inclusions may be present, but the best gemstones will have a nearly flawless look.
3. Cut
The cut of Prasiolite significantly impacts its beauty. Skilled lapidaries shape the gemstone to maximize its brilliance and light reflection. Popular cuts include:
Faceted cuts (round, oval, cushion, emerald) – Enhance the stone’s sparkle.
Cabochon cuts – Offer a smooth, polished surface, often used for unique jewelry pieces.
Well-cut prasiolite will display even color distribution and good light reflection, making it appear more vibrant.
4. Origin & Treatment
Natural Green Amethyst: Extremely rare, formed under specific geological conditions.
Heat-Treated Green Amethyst: The majority of Prasiolite on the market is created by heating natural purple amethyst from sources like Brazil and Poland at temperatures between 500–600°C (932–1112°F). This process is widely accepted in the gem trade, as it mimics natural geological changes.
5. Durability
Green amethyst has a Mohs hardness of 7, making it relatively durable for everyday wear. However, like all quartz varieties, it should be protected from harsh impacts to avoid scratching or chipping.
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