Nothing says real natural wonder like Ametrine. It showcases the vibrant colours of purple and yellow so wonderfully you wouldn't believe the gemstone was hewn straight from the earth. Ametrine was aptly named after the two Quartz stones it is made of, which are Amethyst (Ame-) and Citrine (-trine).

A pure Ametrine has distinct hues of medium dark to golden yellow, and clear to dark purple. A larger than five-carat gem usually shows a deeper shade of both colours. Dealers and jewelry enthusiasts often keep an eye out on Ametrines that have a sharp boundary between yellow and purple. These gems are becoming rare and limited these days.

Read on to unearth the history, lore, and metaphysical properties of this bi-coloured beauty.

The Physical Properties of Ametrine

Ametrine has a Mohs hardness of 7, which means it is hard enough to resist scratching by a knife but is hard enough to scratch a glass. The manganese content in Amethyst gives Ametrine its purple colour, while the presence of iron in Citrine gives the gem its golden yellow hue. This durable gem is cut emerald or fantasy style to dramatically showcase its colour zoning.

The zoning and abrupt transition of Ametrine's colours is attributed to natural causes; a result of the changes in temperature and pressure during the gem's formation. Temperatures must be hotter on some surfaces and cooler on the others for Ametrine to be naturally formed. Today, it is already possible to create artificial Ametrines by heat treating Amethyst in a laboratory.

The History of Ametrine

Quartz varieties like Amethyst, Citrine, and Ametrine have been known for years. Legend has it that the Ayoreo Indian tribe of eastern Bolivia knew about Ametrine crystals some 500 years ago. Quartz crystals with a mixture of purple and yellow hues were only officially documented in 1925. The information was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal American Mineralogy.

Despite the acknowledgment of the presence of this gem, reports of a bi-coloured Quartz variety produced anywhere in the world were not heard of until the 1960s. These reports cited Brazil, Bolivia, and Uruguay as the origin of Ametrines. Today, the mining company in Bolivia is the only known producer of pure Ametrine crystals. Their Anahi Mine is the only commercial source of natural American quartz in the world.

Other names for Ametrine include trystine, bi-colour Amethyst, bi-colour Quartz and Bolivianite.

The Lore of Ametrine

Ametrine is said to help maintain balance energies in relationships. Amethyst is associated with feminine energy, while citrine is believed to strengthen masculine energy. The combination of the two in Ametrine is said to promote harmony in romantic relationships where the right balance of masculine and feminine energies is essential.

Some people place an Ametrine stone near their bed when they feel an imbalance of energy with their partner. Doing so may equalize the energies and keep the other energy from dominating the relationship. Ametrine is also beneficial in sustaining an equilibrium of energies in other types of relationships, be it personal or professional. You can wear the stone as an earring, pendant, bracelet, or brooch. Or keep a tumbled stone in your pocket.

Ametrine stones are also used together with other quartz stones to achieve specific results. For example:

• Ametrine + Citrine crystals + Amethyst crystals - To amplify energies within the stones
• Ametrine + Rose Quartz - To make your actions, thoughts, and decisions become more attuned to your heart

You may also combine Ametrine with high-vibration crystals like Blue Kyanite and Moldavite to raise their energy.

The Metaphysical Properties of Ametrine

Being a stone of balance and forging connections, Ametrine is known to ease tension, usher peace, boost creativity levels, promote mental stability, and improve one's self-confidence. Amethyst and Citrine are detoxifying stones, which makes Ametrine useful in eliminating toxins from the body.

Note: There is no scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of mineral stones and crystals in treating ailments. All information published here is purely for educational purposes.

Scientists attribute the healing impact to the placebo effect that takes place when using stones and crystals. Holding stones and meditating with them is said to trigger the release of feel-good hormones (endorphins and dopamine) in the brain.

Sources:

King, H. Ametrine. Geology.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://geology.com/minerals/quartz/ametrine.shtml#history

International Gem Society. Ametrine Value, Price, and Jewelry Information. Gem Society.org. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.gemsociety.org/article/ametrine-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Ametrine Meaning and Properties. Firemountaingems.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/encyclobeadia/gem-notes/gmstnprprtsmtrn

Oakes, L. Ametrine Enhances Spiritual Clarity. Healing-crystals-for-you.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.healing-crystals-for-you.com/ametrine.html

The Colorful Charm of Ametrine. Adamneeley.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.adamneeley.com/ametrine-origins-formation-and-meaning/