Amethyst Cushion Checkerboard Faceted Gemstones, AA-Grade

This AA-grade checkerboard cushion amethyst features a lively, medium-blue color saturation that complements a variety of metal colors and gemstones. Its eye-catching cut and purple color make it a great choice for simple designs that highlight these qualities. Use it by itself for simple earring or ring designs or highlight the color by pairing it with contrasting-color gemstones to create more complex, multicolor designs. Amethyst is the birthstone for February. Amethyst is the best known and most valuable form of quartz. The color of natural amethyst is caused by iron or manganese compound impurities in the mineral and can range from a watercolor pale pink to a dark, almost opaque, purple. Named for the Greek word for “sober,” amethyst was believed to remedy drunkenness. As a crystal, amethyst is credited with relieving stress and promoting peace of mind. The cushion cut is a classic style; it combines features of the oval cut with a deep cut and large facets. Checkerboard faceting features square facets across the entire crown on the gemstone. This faceting is ideal for larger gemstones, increasing the scintillation effect.