Amethyst primarily comes in shades ranging from lilac to deep purple, including reddish-purple and bluish-purple varieties. While technically a single mineral, the varying intensities and undertones create a spectrum of purple hues.
Here's a breakdown of the color variations:
- Lilac: The lightest shade, sometimes almost lavender.
- Purple: The classic and most commonly recognized color.
- Reddish-Purple: A purple with warm red undertones.
- Bluish-Purple: A purple with cool blue undertones.
- Color Zoning: Amethyst crystals can also exhibit color zoning, with uneven distribution of color throughout the crystal. This can result in bands or patches of different purple intensities.
It's also important to note that amethyst can change color when exposed to heat. Heating can turn amethyst into:
- Citrine: Yellow to orange hues
- Prasiolite: Green hues
- Brown: Various shades of brown
However, these heat-treated colors are considered different forms of the same mineral, not natural variations of amethyst color. The natural coloring agents responsible for amethyst's purple hues are trace amounts of iron and aluminum within its crystal structure.
In conclusion, while amethyst is known for its purple color, it exhibits a range of shades within the purple spectrum, including lilac, standard purple, reddish-purple, and bluish-purple.
