On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate royal amethyst for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from
Gold,
Yellow Gold and
18k Gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a royal amethyst from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic royal amethyst over the years, but those made by
Alex Soldier,
Garrard & Co. Ltd. and
Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection are often thought to be among the most beautiful. While most can agree that any royal amethyst from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a
Amethyst version from the 16 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. Today, if you’re looking for an
emerald cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes
cushion cut and
antique cushion cut alternatives. There aren’t many items for
men if you’re seeking a royal amethyst, as most of the options available are for
women and unisex.
Prices for a royal amethyst can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $345 and can go as high as $23,258, while this accessory, on average, fetches $4,118.
There are few gemstones in the world that are both affordable and worthy of a duchess’s attention. But then not many stones are as beautiful as amethyst. Indeed, vintage and antique amethyst jewelry has innumerable fans, and February’s birthstone has many unique attributes. For the romantics, there are several tales in Greek mythology that tell the story of Bacchus and Amethyste, a maiden that he pursues yet is rescued by Diane by turning her into a white stone. Bacchus, mourning his love, pours a glass of wine over the sculpture, dyeing her purple.
Amethyst has adorned many royal jewels. One of the most enviable jewelry collections of all time belonged to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. In 1947, the Duke gifted her with a Cartier amethyst and turquoise bib necklace. This special order piece was made with twisted 18-carat and 20-carat gold, platinum, brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds, one heart-shaped faceted amethyst, 27 emerald-cut amethysts, one oval faceted amethyst, and turquoise cabochons. The Duchess was not the only Royal with a penchant for the purple gemstone. The tiara now owned by Queen Silvia of Sweden is set with amethysts that once belonged to the French Empress Josephine. A stunning 56-carat cushion-cut, square-shaped amethyst set in an 18-karat yellow gold necklace designed by Tiffany & Co. is now in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
The Smithsonian also has in its possession an even more rare example of fine amethyst: the 96-carat Morris Amethyst Brooch. The brooch features a deep, rich purple heart-shaped amethyst. The museum states that the piece was likely made during the Edwardian period (1901–15) “when platinum and diamonds were often used, and amethyst, a favorite stone of King Edward VII’s wife, Alexandra, was often included in jewelry of the era.”
Another amethyst necklace, with an even richer story, can be found in the Natural History Museum of London. Known as the Delhi Purple Sapphire (even though the stone is an amethyst), this stone was stolen from the Temple of Indra during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Anyone in possession of this stone is bound to have terrible luck, including its owner Edward Heron-Allen, who gifted the gemstone to the museum thinking that this would save him but ended up transferring the bad luck to the museum curators overseeing the stone.
Find a wide range of vintage and antique amethyst necklaces, bracelets and other fine jewelry on 1stDibs.