Violet is a shade of purple that is rarely found in precious gemstones. However, for those seeking unique colored gems, violet stones are beautiful in their soft lilac, lavender, and amethyst hues. This article will explore some of the most coveted violet gems and the fascinating stories behind their formation.
Amethyst
Undoubtedly, the most well-known violet gem is amethyst. Amethyst forms worldwide when clear quartz crystals are exposed to radiation, which causes their color. Amethyst ranges in tone from light lilac to deep purple shades and owes its violet hue to inclusions of iron and aluminum in its structure.
Some notable sources of amethyst include:
- Brazil is considered the top producer of amethyst, with some of its mines yielding massive geode formations.
- Uruguay produces geodes and clustered crystals of sound clarity and rich color.
- Siberia – yielding intensely colored amethyst specimens, some as large as 3-4 feet across.
- USA – localities in Arkansas, Arizona, and North Carolina produce amethyst.
Amethyst is February’s birthstone and has been prized for centuries for its supposed calming and cleansing properties. Its affordability and availability have made it one of the most popular violet gems.
Tanzanite
Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, tanzanite is the blue-violet member of the zoisite mineral group. It forms in close association with the related mineral, hellenite. Just decades after its discovery, tanzanite has become famous as one of the rarest colored gemstones.
Only the gem deposits of hydrothermal origin, mined from rock crevices and fractures, are found at its type locality near Mount Kilimanjaro. Most tanzanite exhibits a dichroic property—appearing violet when viewed under artificial light and blue when viewed under natural daylight. Finer qualities display a desirable purple-blue color.
Its rarity, brilliance, and constantly rising prices have elevated tanzanite to become one of the most valued precious gemstones today, often rivaling or exceeding the cost of sapphires. Most tanzanite gems are cut in brilliant or oval shapes to showcase their hypnotic color change effect best.
Lazulite
One of the rarest and most exclusive violet gems is lavulite, a vanadium-bearing organic polymer found only in Northern Ontario, Canada. Formed over 400 million years ago, lazulite gems were buried deep in pre-Cambrian shale before being uplifted to the surface.
Their intense violet color comes from trace amounts of vanadium that substitute into the polymer structure during fossilization. Resembling amethyst in appearance, most lazulite is cut into oval or cushion shapes less than 1 carat in size to showcase its pure, vividly saturated color.
Only an estimated 5,000 carats of lazulite gem rough exist worldwide, making finding uncut material nearly impossible today. Those lucky enough to obtain a lazulite treasure appreciate holding a one-of-a-kind violet gem with an unrivaled natural history.
Iolite
It is best known for its intense blue form, but iolite can also occur in rarer violet and pink varieties. Found in a few locations, including India, Burma, and the USA, violet iolite stones have a dichroic property like tanzanite, with their color changing between violet and blue depending on lighting conditions.
Their violet hue develops from traces of manganese in the gem’s corundum structure. Most violet iolite is cut in cushion or oval shapes under 1 carat to display intense color saturation. Though not as popular as other violet gems, connoisseurs appreciate iolite’s distinctive dichroism and gemological rarity.
Morganite
A pink to peach member of the beryl gem family, rare violet-hued morganite is treasured as one of the loveliest lilac gems. Its pink coloration comes from manganese impurities, and traces of other elements like iron can impart deeper rose, lavender, or violet tones in finer specimens.
Historically, top-grade violet morganite came from pegmatite mines in Connecticut and California before deposits were exhausted. New finds have been made in Brazil, Madagascar, and Mozambique.
Most violet morganite is fashioned into brilliant-cut gems under 2 carats to preserve its soft hues. These lilac beryls make exquisite statement pieces, brightening any jewelry collection seeking unique colored gemstones.
Violet Gem Properties Comparison Table:
GemstoneColorHardnessCompositionSources
See the list above for Amethyst Lilac to deep purple 7 Silica (Quartz) Worldwide.
Tanzanite Blue-Violet 7 Calcium Zoisite Tanzania
Lavulite Vivid Violet 4-5 Organic Polymer Canada
Iolite Violet/Blue 7.5-8 Cordierite India, Burma, USA
Morganite Lilac/Violet 7.5-8 Beryl Brazil, Madagascar, USA
In Conclusion, while violet gems are less common than other precious colored stones, their unique soft shades of purple make them highly prized additions to any jewelry collection. Whether seeking affordable elegance with amethyst or exotic rarity with lazulite, these beautiful lilac treasures stand out for their distinctive natural hues. With origins spanning the globe, violet gems offer a gateway to appreciate the fascinating mineral diversity that colors our planet.
