Why does amethyst turn white?

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Last Updated on 11 months by Francis

Amethyst is a purple-colored stone that has been used for various purposes throughout history. However, there are times when amethyst turns white, which can be surprising and confusing for many people. In this article, we will explore the reasons why amethyst can turn white and what factors can contribute to this transformation.

Contents

A Brief Introduction to Amethyst

Amethyst is a beautiful crystal, prized for its stunning purple hue and its ability to promote healing and spiritual growth. It’s a variety of quartz, and its purple color comes from trace amounts of iron and other minerals. Amethyst has been used for centuries in jewelry, meditation, and crystal healing, and it’s still popular today.

What Causes Amethyst to Turn White?

While amethyst is known for its rich purple color, it’s not uncommon for this crystal to turn white over time. This can be a natural process or the result of exposure to certain environmental factors. Here are some of the most common reasons why amethyst might turn white:

One key takeaway from this text is that exposure to heat, radiation, chemicals, light, and other environmental factors can cause amethyst to turn white. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to store and handle amethyst properly, clean it safely, and avoid exposing it to harsh elements. With proper care, amethyst can remain a beautiful and powerful crystal for many years.

Heat

One of the most common causes of amethyst turning white is exposure to high temperatures. This can happen naturally, such as when the crystal is exposed to sunlight or heat from the earth. It can also happen artificially, such as when amethyst is subjected to high heat during the jewelry-making process. When exposed to heat, amethyst can lose its color and turn white or even yellow.

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Radiation

Another factor that can cause amethyst to turn white is exposure to radiation. This can happen naturally, such as when the crystal is exposed to cosmic radiation from space. It can also happen artificially, such as when amethyst is exposed to radiation from medical treatments or nuclear materials. Radiation can cause the crystal to lose its color and turn white or even brown.

Chemicals

Some chemicals can also cause amethyst to turn white. This can happen when the crystal is exposed to cleaning products or other chemicals, either intentionally or accidentally. Over time, these chemicals can cause the crystal to lose its color and become white or cloudy.

Light

Exposure to light can also cause amethyst to turn white. This can happen when the crystal is exposed to sunlight or artificial light for extended periods of time. Over time, the light can cause the crystal to lose its color and become white or even yellow.

Other Factors

There are other factors that can contribute to amethyst turning white, such as age, wear and tear, and exposure to water or other liquids. In some cases, the crystal may simply lose its color naturally over time.

How to Prevent Amethyst from Turning White

If you want to keep your amethyst looking its best, there are some steps you can take to prevent it from turning white. Here are some tips:

Amethyst can turn white due to several reasons such as exposure to heat, radiation, chemicals, light, age, wear and tear, or exposure to water or other liquids. Therefore, it’s important to handle amethyst with care, store it properly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, clean it safely with a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner, and avoid exposing it to harsh environmental factors. By following these steps, you can help maintain the beautiful purple hue of this stunning crystal for a long time.

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Store Amethyst Properly

To protect your amethyst from heat, radiation, and other factors that can cause it to turn white, it’s important to store it properly. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Handle Amethyst with Care

When handling amethyst, be gentle and careful. Avoid dropping it or exposing it to harsh chemicals or cleaning products.

Clean Amethyst Safely

If you need to clean your amethyst, use a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner and avoid soaking it in water or other liquids. Dry it carefully after cleaning.

Avoid Exposing Amethyst to Light

To prevent amethyst from turning white due to exposure to light, avoid displaying it in direct sunlight or under bright lights for extended periods of time.

Final Thoughts

While amethyst can turn white for a variety of reasons, it’s still a beautiful and powerful crystal. By taking proper care of your amethyst and protecting it from harmful environmental factors, you can help ensure that it remains vibrant and colorful for years to come.# Why Does Amethyst Turn White?

FAQs for “Why does amethyst turn white”

What causes amethyst to turn white?

Amethyst can turn white due to a process called “heat treatment” or “thermal enhancement.” Heat treatment is a common practice in the gemstone industry, where amethysts are heated to high temperatures (around 800-900 degrees Celsius) in a controlled environment. This process alters the iron impurities in the crystal lattice of amethyst, giving it a lighter or white color.

Is white amethyst still considered genuine amethyst?

Yes, white amethyst is still considered genuine amethyst. The heat treatment process used to turn amethyst white does not change the chemicals and physical properties of the gemstone. The only difference is the color. White amethyst is actually quite popular, as it looks similar to white topaz or quartz but at a lower cost.

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Can amethysts turn white naturally?

Yes, amethysts can turn white naturally over an extended period of time due to radiation and the presence of other elements, such as aluminum or silicon. However, this natural process is very rare and not common in gem-quality amethysts. Most of the white amethysts you see are heat-treated to achieve their color.

Does heat treatment weaken the structure of amethyst?

No, heat treatment does not weaken the structure of amethyst. The gemstone is heated slowly and deliberately in a controlled environment to ensure that the crystal lattice structure remains intact. However, it is important to note that excessive heat or sudden temperature changes can cause cracking or damage to the gemstone.

Can you reverse the process of turning amethyst white?

Unfortunately, you cannot reverse the process of turning amethyst white. Once amethyst is heat-treated, the color change is permanent. While some gemstones can be treated with chemicals to re-color them, this is not a viable option for amethyst. It is always important to fully disclose any treatments or enhancements to potential buyers to ensure their trust and confidence in the gemstone.

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