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Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Jamunia is hard enough for everyday wear, yet its purple is more fragile than the hardness number suggests. The colour comes from traces of iron and natural irradiation inside the quartz, and strong heat or long spells in bright sun can slowly lighten it. So caring for amethyst is mainly about guarding the colour, and only after that about scratches.
What actually fades it
The mistake we hear about most is a ring left on a sunny windowsill, or on the dashboard of a car parked through a Karachi summer afternoon. Long exposure to strong light and heat can wash the colour out over time, and a jeweller's torch held too close during a repair can change it in seconds. Keep the stone in a closed box, and if a ring needs resizing or soldering, ask the jeweller to take the stone out first.
How tough is it?
At 7 on the Mohs scale, amethyst stands up to the household dust and grit that slowly dull softer stones, so wearing it as a daily ring is perfectly realistic. It is not unbreakable, though. A hard knock against a sharp edge can chip it, which is why a bezel, or a setting with protective prongs, makes sense for a stone you wear while working.
Cleaning it properly
- Leave the stone in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap for a few minutes.
- Brush gently behind it with a soft toothbrush; that is where lotion and dust build up.
- Rinse in clean water and dry with a lint-free cloth.
Stay away from steam cleaners and very hot water, which can put stress on any inclusions. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually fine for clean, untreated amethyst, but skip them if you can see fractures in the stone.
Storing it without scratches
Quartz will scratch softer stones like pearl, feroza and lapis, and it will be scratched in turn by sapphire, ruby and topaz. Give each piece its own pouch or compartment. Keeping it in a dark drawer looks after the colour as well.
Natural, heated or synthetic?
Lab-grown amethyst is common and cheap to produce. It often looks too clean and too evenly coloured. Natural stones usually show colour zoning: slightly darker and lighter bands that appear when you tilt the stone over a sheet of white paper. Dyed quartz is less common but does turn up. We state treatments where they are known, and if you want independent testing on a stone, just ask.
What jamunia is worn for
In South Asian tradition amethyst is tied to Saturn (Shani) and worn for calm, clear thinking and better sleep. These are traditional beliefs, not promised results. If an astrologer has suggested it, settle the weight and metal with them beforehand; our rashi guide lists the usual pairings.
Picking your stone
A deep, even purple with no brown or grey in it costs the most. Paler lilac stones are cheaper and can look very pretty set in silver. Every stone in our amethyst collection is photographed on its own. Still comparing? Look at chalcedony or labradorite too. Urdu and English names are on the gemstone names page. We deliver by Cash on Delivery from Karachi, starting with Karachi itself, then Lahore and the rest of Pakistan.
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