Princess Diana wearing the Attallah Cross.
Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
9 of the World’s Most Alluring Amethysts
Majestic on many levels, February’s birthstone is no shrinking violet
Although it’s the rarest member of the quartz family, amethyst generally keeps a low profile—it’s not the kind of gem that makes auction headlines (with one recent exception, highlighted below). Many are drawn to its signature purple hue, including quite a few members of the interior design community. And February babies must have a particular fondness for the color too, whether pastel—like lilacs—or vibrant—like a sorcerer’s hat.
Amethysts have a deep, longstanding connection to various royal families. This is likely because traditionally the color purple was only worn by kings, queens, and other elites.
At one time, in fact, amethyst was once considered rarer and more valuable than diamonds. It became less exclusive when substantial deposits were found in Brazil in the 1800s; today, the best material hails from that country and other parts of South America, Mexico, and Africa. A completely gorgeous Siberian variety from the famed Ural Mountains is considered the highest quality available due to its exceptionally intense, velvety purple color.
Conversations about amethysts often turn to one of the gem’s most talked-about metaphysical attributes: The ancient Greeks believed that the stone could ward off the effects of alcohol because of a myth involving Dionysus—who, of course, famously loved a party. In fact, the word “amethyst” is actually derivative of the word amethystos, the Greek word for “not intoxicated.”
With connections to the ancient Egyptians, the Edwardians and even a certain Kardashian, the amethysts below represent the best of the best.
The Attallah Cross, frequently work by Princess Diana and most recently purchased by Kim Kardashian. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
1. Kim Kardashian’s Attallah Cross Pendant
The reality star/socialite/entrepreneur made headlines in 2023 when she purchased a square-cut amethyst and diamond cross pendant at a Sotheby’s auction for a cool $197,453. Made by British jeweler Garrard in the 1920s, the cross was worn by Princess Diana on several occasions in the 1980s. But it was not a piece she owned—her friend, British businessman and writer Naim Attallah, frequently loaned it to her for events. At 136 mm x 95 mm, it’s quite a bold statement (for scale, check out Kardashian wearing it at last year’s LACMA Gala).
An amethyst geode at the AMNH. Photo: D. Kim/ ©AMNH
An amethyst geode at the AMNH. Photo: D. Finnin/©AMNH
2. The AMNH Geodes
Towering at the entrance of the Allison & Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems & Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) are two glittering, giraffe-sized amethyst geodes. Collected from the Bolsa Mine in Uruguay, they are among the world’s largest: One is nine feet tall and weighs around 11,000 pounds; its “big sister” geode is 13 feet tall and clocks in at more than 9,000 pounds.
3. The Sovereign’s Scepter
Most of the gems in this Crown Jewel, originally created for King Charles II in 1661—and recently trotted out for King Charles III’s 2023 coronation— are eclipsed by the presence of its legendary central diamond, the 530.2-carat Cullinan I, a.k.a. the Star of Africa. But at least one other stone deserves some of the limelight, too: A faceted amethyst “monde,” or orb-shaped ornament, perched at the top of the scepter. It’s a fitting detail when you consider that amethyst’s purple hue is historically associated with royalty, wealth, and power.
Morris Amethyst Brooch. Photo: Courtesy of the Smithsonian
4. Morris Amethyst Brooch
Mounted in platinum with a yellow gold undercarriage, the amethyst in this jewel stands out for its unusual heart shape and considerable size. Weighing 96 carats, the stone likely originated in Brazil and the brooch itself displays elegant design elements characteristic of the Edwardian era (1901-1915). King Edward VII’s wife, Alexandra, was said to have favored amethyst which may have influenced its appearance in jewelry of that time period.
Tiffany Amethyst Necklace. Photo: Courtesy of the Smithsonian
5. Tiffany Amethyst Necklace, 1915
The pendant highlights an enormous 56-carat amethyst that was procured from a mine in Siberia and likely was sourced by George F. Kunz, Tiffany & Co.’s chief gemologist at the time. The magnificent square cushion-cut gem appears in a decorative Art Nouveau design with vines, leaves and grapes—motifs that Tiffany embraced on several occasions.
Amethyst Scarab. Photo: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
6. Amethyst Scarab
Discovered in a tomb from Egypt’s Middle Kingdom (1981–1950 B.C.), this grape candy-colored carved amethyst now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection. Scarabs were revered as sacred by the ancient Egyptians due to the creature’s ability to roll dung balls across the ground—they associated this feat with the sun’s daily journey from East to West. And the Sun was a well-known feature of that civilization’s spiritual and cultural belief systems.
7. Queen Mary’s Amethyst Parure
Originally Mary of Teck, this monarch married Prince George, Duke of York in 1893 and eventually became queen consort in 1910. Her amethyst parure—a extravagant tiara, necklace, earrings and brooch set, all with jumbo sized stones—was something she wore on several occasions throughout her long life. And, like the best antique jewels, at least one of the items went on to enjoy subsequent lives: In fact, Vogue editor Anna Wintour has been photographed wearing the necklace on two occasions; as of February 2025, she appears to have adapted the jewel to a more modern design as it is absent the diamonds and the briolette detachables.
8. Napoleonic Amethyst Parure
Yet another royal treasure featuring enormous amethysts, this demi-parure is said to have originally belonged to Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Through a long and complex succession line, the jewels are now the property of the Swedish royal family. Initially consisting of a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and brooch, the set was broken down and re-designed in the 1970s and now includes a magnificent tiara. See a particularly exquisite moment of the amethysts working their modern-day magic here.
Delhi Purple “Sapphire.” Photo: (c) The Trustees of The Natural History Museum, London
9. Delhi Purple “Sapphire”
As fate would have it, when one of the most famous amethysts in the world was pillaged from a temple in India during the 19th century, it was mistakenly thought to be a purple sapphire. Like many purloined gems hailing from the Far East, this one went on to attract quite a bit of bad luck as it changed hands on Western soil. The last unfortunate owner of record was British scientist Edward Heron-Allen; upon his death in 1944, his daughter donated the cursed stone to the Museum of Natural History in London. There, in 1972, a curator found the notorious “sapphire” in its archives with a note from Herron-Allen that confirmed its true identity: an amethyst measuring 3.5 x 2.5 cm, which is about the size of a business card.
Cover: Princess Diana wearing the Attallah Cross.
Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
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