An ancient favourite: Find thousands of years’ worth of amethysts at auction
17 January 2024 Amethysts were once considered among the rarest and most precious stones of all time.
Estimated at £3000-4000, this amethyst and diamond brooch from the second half of the 19th century is offered at Woolley & Wallis’ Fine Jewellery Sale of January 24-25. It is bordered with diamonds spaced by pearls above a palmette set with rose-cut diamonds and mounted in gold and silver.
The ancient Greeks wore them to ward off drunkenness, the ancient Egyptians carved into engraved gems. In the Middle Ages, kings of England had them incorporated into royal regalia.
Over the years, more and more deposits of amethysts were uncovered and they are not as rare as Europeans believed them to be before the 18th century. However, certain types are difficult to come by and no matter the rarity they remain beautiful, colourful stones.
Those interested in crystals still prize them as natural tranquilisers, relieving stress and strain as well as soothing irritability. It is also considered the birthstone for February, which could make one of the upcoming lots on TheSaleroom.com an ideal purchase.
Though not the most valuable piece in the world, this gilt necklace, estimated at £400-600, has a charm all its own. Decorated with enamel and pearl as well as amethyst, the piece is offered at Banks Jewellery Auctions in a timed online sale that opens today.
An example of the long history of amethyst as a cultural material. This ancient Egyptian ring dates to the 12th Dynasty period, c.1820 BC and features a carved amethyst scarab which swivels on its setting. The piece has a provenance to a private London collection and entered the art market before 2000. It has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. Apollo Auctions offers it with an estimate of £2500-3500 on January 28.
No, it’s not actually amethyst, but this mid-19th century Absolom glass goblet by Ann Dyball of Great Yarmouth. Something a little different for someone who loves the shade of amethyst as well as the substance, the goblet has an estimate of £80-120 in The Explorer sale at Bishop & Miller on January 25.
Giving a sense of what amethyst can look like in its raw form, this late 20th-century amethyst drop pendant goes under the hammer at Special Auction Services sale of Jewellery, Pens & Silver Auction on January 25 where it has an estimate of £300-500.
