How to tell the difference between an amethyst and a purple zircon?

• Amethyst:
• The color of amethyst is usually a soft to deep purple. It can range from light lavender - like hues to a rich, saturated purple. The color is often more evenly distributed throughout the crystal. For example, in high - quality amethysts from Brazil, the purple color is vivid and may have a slight bluish tint in some cases.
• Some amethysts may also show color zoning, where the intensity of the purple varies in different parts of the crystal, but this zoning is usually relatively smooth and gradual.
• Purple zircon:
• Purple zircon typically has a more vivid and intense color than amethyst. The purple can be very bright and may have a somewhat "glassy" appearance. It often has a high - chroma color that can give it a more "electric" look compared to amethyst. Zircon colors can also be more diverse, and in addition to purple, it may have a tinge of other colors such as pink or brownish - purple.

• Amethyst:
• Amethyst is a variety of quartz, and quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. It can scratch glass easily, but it can be scratched by substances that are harder, such as topaz (hardness of 8). If you try to scratch the surface of an amethyst with a steel file, the amethyst will not be significantly damaged.
• Purple zircon:
• Zircon has a hardness of around 7.5 on the Mohs scale. This means it is slightly harder than amethyst. When tested against other materials, it will show more resistance to scratching. For example, if you rub a purple zircon and an amethyst together, the amethyst is more likely to show scratches.

• Amethyst:
• Amethyst often contains inclusions. These inclusions can be liquid - filled cavities, mineral inclusions, or growth - related features such as "feathers" (fine - textured inclusions that look like the barbules of a feather). Some amethysts from Uruguay are known for their "chevron" inclusions, which are V - shaped patterns of inclusions that give the crystal a unique appearance.
• In general, amethyst's clarity can range from fairly clear to quite included, depending on the quality. Lower - quality amethysts may have many visible inclusions that can affect the stone's transparency and luster.
• Purple zircon:
• High - quality purple zircons are usually more transparent and have fewer inclusions than amethysts. They tend to have a cleaner, more gem - like appearance. However, zircon can also have inclusions, such as small crystals of other minerals or gas - filled cavities. But compared to amethyst, the inclusions in zircon are often less pronounced and may not be as easily visible to the naked eye.

• Amethyst:
• Amethyst has a vitreous (glass - like) luster. When light hits the surface of an amethyst, it reflects in a way that is similar to glass. The refractive index of amethyst (quartz) is around 1.54 - 1.55. This means that light passing through the amethyst is refracted at a certain angle that gives it a characteristic appearance. The play of light inside an amethyst is not as pronounced as in zircon.
• Purple zircon:
• Purple zircon has a high refractive index, usually around 1.92 - 1.98. This high refractive index gives zircon a more brilliant and "sparkly" appearance. The luster of zircon is also described as adamantine (diamond - like). When light enters a zircon, it is bent more sharply than in an amethyst, creating a more intense play of light and a stronger dispersion of colors, which can make it look more "alive" and bright.

• Amethyst:
  • Amethyst, being a quartz, has a density of about 2.65 g/cm³. When you hold an amethyst in your hand, it feels relatively light for its size compared to some other gemstones.
• Purple zircon:
  • Zircon has a higher density, typically around 4.6 - 4.7 g/cm³. This means that a purple zircon of the same size as an amethyst will feel significantly heavier in the hand. This difference in density can be a useful clue in distinguishing between the two, especially when you have a reference for comparison.

6. Wearing Benefit

• Amethyst:

               Stress Relief · Enhanced Sleep Quality · Mental Clarity · Spiritual Growth · Energy Protection · Headache Relief · Balancing the Body's Energy

• Purple zircon:

               Enhanced Confidence · Mood - Lifting · Spiritual Awakening · Protection and Good Fortune