Amethyst (''Rose de France'')

Item Description

This attractive gem is from Brazil and features a lovely "Round" cut with VVS clarity and a gentle lilac purple hue. You might call this gem "Rose de France", which is the term often applied to lighter colored Amethyst. For the size, cutting and quality, this is a very nice stone that would make for a superb pendant, or as an excellent addition to a faceted gem collection. For reference, the name Amethyst from the Greek world "amethystos", meaning "not intoxicated", which refers to an ancient belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. You'll find that wine goblets were carved from Amethyst thousands of years ago for this reason. Amethyst is certainly the most recognizable purple gem in the world. If it wasn't for Amethyst, purple would be a fairly rare hue when it comes to faceted stones. This stone is from the estate of former Phoenix area dealer Marvin Rockey. Rockey's Gems was a significant business in the early days of Arizona lapidary material, and he was a prominent dealer and buyer in the Arizona area of local lapidary and carving material from throughout the state, including Bisbee, the Ray Mine, Miami mines, and the Peridot finds on Indian lands in the 1950s-1970s. This stone was kept back from the retail stock for its quality and beauty, in a tray of special material, and was found in his estate (sold to us only recently). Today, these are not only rarely seen but of a highly desirable old quality, and sought after by collectors and gem / jewelry enthusiasts alike.