Unusual Engagement Rings: The Tender Amethyst

Amethyst is the most popular of the quartz stones. It is a stone which can range from light lilac to bright violet or deep purple. It is one of the least expensive stones, making it a popular choice for wedding buyers on a budget.

However, for this reason it is often ruled out, as it can be judged for having so much less value than diamonds. There are so many plus points to amethysts, however, from their beauty to the message they portray. They are a great choice for unusual engagement rings; the depth of the purple is astounding.

The amethyst is an ancient stone and is embedded within Greek mythology. This is an aspect which greatly appeals to buyers looking for a stone to put in an unusual engagement ring. It makes the stone choice traditional but in an entirely unconventional way.

The Greek myth surrounding amethysts originates with a girl called Amethystos who was the pinnacle of purity. She became the object of affection by Dionysus (the god of wine) who attempted to drunkenly proposition her. Amethystos prayed to the gods to preserve her innocence, and her prayer was heard by Artemis, who turned her into white stone in honour of her purity. Moved by her strong desire to remain pure, Dionysus poured his wine over the statue to honour it. The stone was stained purple, and that is the mythical origin of the amethyst’s purple colouring.

To this day, amethysts still represent purity and clear-headedness, making them a popular choice for unusual engagement rings as they have a unique symbolism, compared to that of more mainstream stones. As a gem with traditions throughout history, the amethyst is also rife with religious connotations, meant to convey spirituality, sincerity and a pure heart to the wearer.

The stone registers as a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it fairly resilient. It’s really down to personal taste, but the metal it is usually paired with is platinum or white gold, as yellow gold is not only a softer metal but also clashes with the purple colouring. Many people like amethysts as they are the birthstone for February, tying them to the Middle Ages when birthstones first became acknowledged. When you look at the story of the amethyst, you can see how prevalent throughout history it has been and what pride it should bring to any wearer. It ticks all of the boxes for those considering an unusual engagement ring gemstone.

Frederick Holm is staff writer for of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose the best and the most unusual engagement ring designers in the UK. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.