Amethyst Jewelry
2010s American Amethyst Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, Amethyst, Citrine, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Amethyst Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Arts and Crafts Amethyst Jewelry
Gold Plate
Late 19th Century Belle Époque Antique Amethyst Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Early 2000s Amethyst Jewelry
18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Art Nouveau Amethyst Jewelry
Diamond, Oriental Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Artisan Amethyst Jewelry
Crystal, Gold
1970s Vintage Amethyst Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary French Amethyst Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Amethyst Jewelry
Diamond, Gold
1960s German Vintage Amethyst Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1960s American Vintage Amethyst Jewelry
Gilt Metal
Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Amethyst Jewelry
Amber, Diamond, Ruby, Silver
1960s Contemporary Vintage Amethyst Jewelry
Amethyst, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Amethyst Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Amethyst Jewelry
Amethyst, Coral, Peridot, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s American Anglo-Indian Vintage Amethyst Jewelry
Amethyst, Zircon, Brass
Shop Vintage and Antique Amethyst Jewelry on 1stDibs
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.