Types of Amethyst: 9 Rare Varieties & How to Choose Yours

Types of Amethyst

Amethysts have been very popular in the gemstone industry for their rich purple color and the healing properties they have to offer. Little do people know that you don't have to settle for just the word amethyst. Not every purple stone is amethyst. There’s a lot more about this stone that you can find out here. There are various types of amethyst available in the market that might lure you more.

The most famous and common type of amethyst that you all are familiar with already is the classic purple amethyst. The perfect color of a purple amethyst is often said to be a “deep siberian” color. Available in several locations like Brazil, Uruguay, Siberia and South Africa the stone is known for its rich history and its stunning color.

Let’s get to know about them in detail so that you can pick your stone better.

1. Siberian Amethyst:

Siberian amethyst has to be one of the finest varieties of amethyst to exist. The stone is highly admired for its historical significance, clarity, and exceptional color.

Color: The stone has a deep, rich purple hue, often showing red and blue flashes. The color itself speaks of royalty. The color of the stone plays a huge role in its pricing also. The deeper, the clearer the color, the higher the price.

Origin: Just as the name suggests, this variety of amethyst comes from Siberia, Russia. Historically it used to come from the Ural Mountains in Russia, but it was still named “Siberian” after the region. Due to the depletion of the original mines, they are now being mined from Brazil and Zambia, but still the name “Siberian amethyst” dominates the market. It is very rare in the market due to its location.

Healing properties: You’ll be amazed to know about the healing properties that this type of amethyst possesses. Here are a few of those properties:

• Spiritual awareness and intuition
• Emotional healing and stress relief
• Protection from negative energies
• Enhancing mental clarity and focus
• Healing and detoxifying the body
• Addiction and overcoming negative habits
• Promoting inner peace and harmony

Formation process: These varieties of amethysts are formed within geodes. The geological conditions in Siberia play a huge role in the color and clarity of the stone. The temperature, pressure, and chemical composition are all important for it.

Pricing: Based on its rarity and availability, these can range anywhere between $20 and $100.

2. Brandberg Amethyst

Color: Brandberg displays a beautiful color range from light lavender to deep purple. It can often have some inclusion of clear and smoky quartz.

Origin: It is exclusively found in the Goboboseb Mountains near the Brandberg Mountains in Namibia, Africa.

Healing properties: Here are some of the healing properties of brandberg amethyst.

• Connection with ancestors and past lives
• Manifestation and transformation
• Healing and detoxification
• Mental clarity and focus
• Balance and harmonization
• Emotional healing and stress relief
• Energy clearing and protection
• Spiritual connection and enlightenment

Formation process: These are formed in volcanic basalts that are approximately 132-135 million years old. It is typically found in single crystals or defined clusters with unique appearances. Scepter forms, phantoms, zoning, and fluid inclusions are some of the common characteristics that are found in these crystals.

Pricing: Depending upon the quality and rarity, its price can go between $25 and $80 or sometimes even higher.

If you're drawn to the calming energy of crystals, don’t miss our post on the healing benefits and spiritual properties of Amethyst gemstones.

3. Auralite Amethyst

Also known as auralite-23, it is a unique and powerful stone that is well known for its healing capabilities.

Color: This variety showcases shades of purple ranging from light lavender to deep purple. It can also show streaks of different colors like red, orange, yellow, brown, blue, and green due to its complex mineral composition.

Origin: It is found exclusively in a remote area of Canada, specifically in the auralite mines located in the Ontario region. The name, auralite-23, refers to the 23 different materials that are found in this structure.

Healing properties:

It is known as the “ultimate master healer” because of its versatile healing properties.

• Spiritual growth and awakening
• Transformation and healing
• Emotional healing and stress relief
• Enhancing intuition and psychic abilities
• Promoting harmony and balance
• Detoxification and healing of the physical body
• Boosting creativity and mental clarity
• Protection from negative energies
• Manifestation and abundance

Formation process: The stone is believed to be 1.2 to 1.5 billion years old, which makes it one of the oldest minerals to exist on earth. The stone was created when intense heat from meteorite impacts melted existing minerals into a solution.

Pricing: They are generally priced between $30 and $100 per carat.

4. Brazilian amethyst

Color: This type of amethyst has a beautiful color range of light lavender to deep violet. It often shows a transparent and clear quality.

Origin: The name of this stone itself gives away the location of this stone. It is primarily found in Brazil (one of the largest producers of amethysts), specifically in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul.

Healing properties:

• Spiritual Growth and Awareness
• Mental Clarity and Focus
• Emotional Healing and Stress Relief
• Protection and Purification
• Physical Healing and Detoxification
• Enhancing Intuition and Psychic Abilities
• Helping with Addiction and Negative Habits
• Manifestation and Personal Growth

Formation process: It is found in the geodes, which are hollow cavities in volcanic rocks. The trace amount of iron impurities that are found in the quartz structure adds to the beautiful purple color of this stone.

Pricing: The pricing of this stone depends majorly on its color and clarity. So, a decent piece can go for around $10 - $40 per carat.

5. Cape amethyst

Color: This stone is a beautiful mix of parts of amethyst and parts of milky quartz. The stone is a combination of purple and white, where purple is the amethyst and white is the milky quartz.

Origin: As the name suggests, the stone is found in the Cape region of South Africa. The Cape region is very famous for its rich mineral deposits.

Healing properties:

• Enhances intuition and promotes balance
• Cleanses the aura and aids meditation
• Supports the nervous system
• Aligns your third eye chakra and crown chakra
• Helps overcome bad habits and promotes self-discipline

Formation process: Gas-filled cavities in the volcanic rocks become saturated with silica-rich water over time. As they cool down and crystallize under a certain temperature, they turn into distinctive crystals.

Pricing: These can range between $5 and $25 per carat depending upon certain characteristics of the stone.

6. Chevron amethyst

Color: It typically features a distinctive V-shaped banding pattern created by alternating layers of purple amethyst and milky white quartz. The purple can range from pale lavender to deep violet, while the white may appear as milky or slightly smoky.

Origin: This variety is primarily found in three countries: Brazil, India, and Russia. Each location contributes unique characteristics to the stones based on local geological conditions.

Healing properties:

Since it has a mix of both amethyst and white quartz, it has double the healing powers. It is an excellent tool for spiritual growth, emotional balance, and physical healing.

• Promotes inner peace and mental clarity
• Activates third eye and crown chakra
• Relieves physical pain
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps in clearing out negative energy
• Boosts confidence and courage

Formation process: Over time, silica-rich fluids seep into these cavities and crystallize under high pressure and temperature, resulting in the formation of quartz crystals.

Pricing: Generally priced between $5 and $50 per carat, depending on specific characteristics.

7. Moss amethyst

Color: It typically features a light to translucent purple hue, often speckled with inclusions of goethite, which can appear as brownish-black, yellow-brown, or reddish-brown.

Origin: It is primarily found in Brazil, where it forms in geological environments rich in quartz and iron minerals. Other sources may include regions in Sri Lanka and various locations where quartz crystals are formed alongside iron-rich minerals.

Healing properties:

• Helps Release Negative Patterns
• Encourages Emotional Resilience
• Promotes Inner Peace
• Aids in Meditation & Shadow Work
• Enhances Intuition & Psychic Abilities
• Aids Circulation & Detoxification
• Boosts Immune System

Formation process: As quartz crystals grow in volcanic rock formations, they can trap other minerals within their structure. In the case of moss amethyst, goethite (an iron oxide mineral) becomes entrapped during the crystallization process.

Pricing: Typically ranges from $15 to $50 per carat based on clarity and appearance.

8. Pink amethyst

Color: It is characterized by its soft pink hues, which can range from light pastel shades to deeper pink tones.

Origin: It was discovered in Patagonia, Argentina, and parts of Uruguay. It is a relatively recent addition to the quartz family, having been mined since around 2019.

Healing properties:

• Promotes Love & Compassion
• Calms Anxiety & Stress
• Enhances Intuition & Clarity
• Connects to Divine Feminine Energy
• Supports Meditation & Mindfulness

Formation process: The pink color results from hematite entering the crystalline structure during its formation. This process occurs deep within the Earth, where quartz crystals develop in volcanic environments.

Pricing: Generally priced between $20 and $60 per carat, depending on specific characteristics.

9. Ametrine

Color: Ametrine is defined by its distinct bicolor appearance. It shows a combination of purple (from amethyst) and yellow or orange (from citrine). The color division often varies, with some stones displaying clear zoning patterns. Ideally, you should aim for a balanced 50-50 color split.

Origin: Ametrine is primarily sourced from the Anahi mine, situated in Bolivia. This region is known for producing high-quality specimens.

Healing properties:

• Balances emotions
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Enhances creativity and focus
• Protects against negative energies
• Increase energy and vitality
• Supports digestion and metabolism
• Boosts intuition and higher consciousness

Formation Process: Natural ametrine is very rare. Often in the market, ametrine is often just a treated amethyst that has been artificially colored. It is formed under varying temperatures during the crystallization process.

Pricing: The price range for ametrine is generally $15 - $60 per carat.

Quick Comparison: Types of Amethyst at a Glance

Ready to choose your perfect type of amethyst?

Start with the variety that resonates most — then explore how to wear, cleanse, and style it with intention.

Check out our amethyst collection here.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Deep Siberian Amethyst is the most prized due to its intense color saturation and flashes of secondary hues. Ametrine from Bolivia is also rare due to the natural blend of purple and golden-yellow tones. Generally, deeper, richer, and cleaner stones are more valuable.

Choose based on your intention:

• For calming energy, go for Chevron or Rose de France.
• For clarity and balance, Ametrine is ideal.
• For protection or deep spiritual work, opt for Deep Siberian or Vera Cruz amethyst.

Brazilian amethyst is typically lighter in color, displaying shades of lilac or pale violet. In contrast, Uruguayan amethyst is known for its darker and richer hues, characterized by deeper saturation. Uruguay also produces smaller yet higher-quality geodes. Each type of amethyst has its unique appeal while Brazilian amethyst offers an airy, delicate quality, Uruguayan amethyst is bold and striking.

Chevron amethyst is a natural combination comprising amethyst and white quartz, forming distinctive V-shaped bands or stripes. It's popular for meditation due to its grounding and cleansing properties and is often used in wands or palm stones.

Yes, you can wear different types together as they complement rather than cancel each other out. For example, pairing Ametrine with Chevron Amethyst brings both mental clarity and emotional peace. It's more about harmony than hierarchy.

Ametrine is a natural blend of amethyst and citrine in a single crystal. It forms when varying temperatures within the same geode cause iron to oxidize differently, creating two colors. It's technically a type of quartz like amethyst, but it has a dual personality.

Vera Cruz amethyst is found in Mexico and is known for its transparency and light lavender tone. Crystals are typically long, slender, and double-terminated. Energetically, it's said to vibrate at a higher frequency, perfect for spiritual or third-eye work.

Not necessarily. While darker amethysts like Deep Siberian are more valuable commercially, it's all about personal preference. Lighter tones like Rose de France can be equally beautiful and are often preferred in delicate jewelry or healing practices.