Amethyst comes in an eclectic range of nuances, from pale lilac to an intense deep purple with red flashes, the latter of which commands the highest premium. Due to its widespread popularity Amethyst has assumed several pseudonyms relating to its color: 'Rose de France' is a pale lavender or lilac color and is the least coveted, while the most prized is the intense purple variety termed 'Siberian.' This last term is slightly misleading, as it refers to the past when this grade of Amethyst was mined from locales such as Mursinka, in the Ekaterinburg district of Russia. At present, premium quality Amethyst of the highest quality is not only sourced from Russia, but also Zambia and Uruguay.

The color of Amethyst is due to the presence of ferric iron, and 'Color Centers' linked to natural radiation. (Please read: How Does Amethyst Get It's Color?) Most Amethyst crystals display phantom zoning as color variation or patterns in the crystal. To produce high quality faceted gemstones, amethyst must be uniform in color. Although Amethyst is one of the most widespread gem types, superior examples that are suitable for faceting into gems are limited to relatively few regions and are quite scarce.