Antique amethyst gold ring and Victorian garnet gold ring

Large step cut amethyst set in a scroll design gold mount, circa 1900. A member of the quartz family, amethyst is produced in a variety of transparent purple shades. The example featured displays a rich deep violet colour, which is generally the favourite. Amethyst is probably the most commonly used stone for Bishop's rings.


More...There was a common belief that amethyst could prevent the worst effects of too much alcohol, and thus derived its name from the Greek word 'amethystos', meaning 'not drunken'. Until the 1850s amethyst was mainly used for jewellery by royalty - they were rare and expensive until large deposits were discovered in Brazil.