Looking for the best pair of amethyst earrings?
Perfect, you're in the right place!
Earrings can be an especially tricky jewelry purchase.
Any jewelry purchase – especially one that involves the purchase of gemstones – requires an emotional and financial investment that you want to be sure you’ve gotten right.
Add to that the fact that earrings prominently frame your face (as opposed to adorning your wrist or fingers), and it becomes absolutely crucial to make the right choice.
Whether you’ve opted for amethyst because it represents your birth stone, or simply because you adore the beautiful purple hue of this underrated gemstone, we’ve gathered the five best amethyst earrings for you to consider. Let’s jump right in!
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On April 5, 2024
- 14k White Gold
- Tasteful, discrete settings
- Eye clean
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Top 5 Best Amethyst Earrings
Short on time? Take a look at my top picks for purple gemstone rings:
What Are Amethyst Earrings?
Amethyst is a beautiful, purple-colored quartz stone. Until the 18th Century, it was thought to be one of the cardinal stones – those gemstones which are higher value than all others (alongside diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds). However, in the 18th Century large deposits of it were discovered in Brazil, and this diminished much of its market value.
Read Also: Top Purple Gemstone Earrings
What amethyst lacks in scarcity, however, it makes up for in beauty and cultural significance. Unlike the cardinal stones, the value of amethyst does not increase exponentially with carat weight, Instead, its value is determined by the depth or richness of the purple hue it exhibits. The best purple amethyst in the world is Siberian amethyst, which displays approximately 75% purple hue.
In terms of cultural significance, the name amethyst has its roots in ancient Greek meaning ‘not intoxicant’ – as the Greeks believed it would prevent them from becoming drunk! In the middle ages, amethyst was reserved only to royalty, and even today Anglican bishops wear an episcopal set with amethyst (again, alluding to their sobriety). It is also the birthstone for February.
Are Amethyst Earrings Expensive Or Cheap?
The short answer is ‘it depends’. It depends on what you’re comparing them to (diamond earrings, for instance), and it depends on the quality of the amethyst. What I would say though, is that Amethyst is excellent value, given that you’re getting a beautiful semi-precious gemstone. There are few gemstones that can compete with the appearance of rich-purple amethyst, and fewer that can match it for value.
Read Also: What Are The Top Amethyst Necklaces?
When buying amethyst earrings, the price will be determined by two main factors – the material of the setting, and the shade of the amethyst. Sterling silver settings will be quite a bit cheaper than gold, for instance, and rich, deep purple amethyst will cost significantly more than its less saturated counterparts.
What Should You Look For In The Best Amethyst Earrings?
In terms of what you should look for in a good pair of amethyst earrings, the quality will be determined by the setting, and the stone itself.
First and foremost, what is the style of the setting?
Setting Styles
There are countless styles, and they all have their own benefits and drawbacks. Do you prefer stud-type earrings, or something more ornate?
One point to bear in mind is the quality of the stone setting itself – a bezel setting for example is not to everyone’s taste, and will conceal more of the stone, but will do a much better job of protecting the stones should you drop it.
Setting Material
Next, what is the material of the setting (and how much of it is there)? Again, this will largely come down to personal preference. Some people adore the purple of amethyst against rose gold, others will only wear white gold.
Make sure that what you’re paying is commensurate with the material you’re buying – if you aren’t making a significant saving by opting for silver over platinum, then chances are you’re being swindled.
Quality of Amethyst
Finally, is the quality of the amethyst. Wherever possible, buy earrings that have eye-clean amethyst stones. Whilst an inclusion in the amethyst is unlikely to detract from the beauty of the stone significantly from a distance, it’s likely to bother you from up close.
Hue of Amethyst
Also, again, the purple hue of the amethyst is where the value is, and you should be aiming to buy the richest, most saturated purple amethyst earrings you can afford.
Also look for amethysts that have a consistent color throughout the stone – many lower-quality stones will display ‘color zones’ where they may have areas of rich purple, but this fades badly in other areas.
As with diamonds, look for well cut amethysts, as this has a significant impact on the appearance of the stones (particularly in low light).
How Do You Clean Amethyst Earrings?
Whilst amethyst is a relatively tough and durable gemstone, there are some key things to keep in mind when cleaning and maintaining it.
Amethyst scores a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning it should be fairly safe in jewelry. It’s important to remember that amethyst is a type of quartz. Given that most dust and sand is made up of quartz, this means that it is easy to scratch your earrings if you’re not careful.
SO BE CAREFUL!
It’s for that reason that I recommend gently cleaning your amethyst earrings in warm soapy water. Use a mild dishwashing soap, and allow the earrings to soak for 10-15 minutes, before rinsing clean and drying with a soft cotton cloth.
This method should also be suitable for every precious metal setting. Avoid the use of steam, and avoid ultrasonic cleaners as these can be harmful if the amethyst received manufacturing treatments that you are unaware of.
Where To Buy Amethyst Earrings?
Online if you can!
Specifically, we recommend purchasing your amethyst earrings from James Allen. James Allen is an excellent and reputable jewelry online retailer, who combine the discount prices of a big chain, with the expertise and reliability of a local expert.
We pick online due to the enormous cost savings that come along with buying jewelry online. Not only do you save on costs other retailers need to recoup (rent of building, sales associates, etc), but you get the best possible sales experience because none of the support reps are paid on commission on their site!
Our Recommended Amethyst Earrings
1. 14k White Gold Cushion-Cut Amethyst Earrings
I have many reasons why I've chosen these 14k White Gold Cushion-Cut Amethyst Earrings for my top pick.
I'll start with the fact that they are crafted in fancy 14K white gold. No plating here, just solid, generally hypoallergenic, white gold.
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They are also larger than most amethyst earrings at 3.8 carats. The stone is natural and the cushion cut shape makes it appear larger than a round cut amethyst.
- Cushion cut gems appear larger
- 14K solid white gold
- Rich purple color
- Higher price than most
2. Silvershake Amethyst Dangle Earrings (Best Value)
Our best of the best selection is a pair of beautiful, petite, eye clean amethyst stones with a minimum carat weight of 0.96.
These dangle earrings are set in rhodium plated sterling silver settings in the fashionable Celtic Knot style.
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They have easy to wear lever backings built in so you don't have to worry about losing them and even come in other color stones as well.
These earrings also come in an anti-tarnish bag that you can keep storing them in!
- Trendy Celtic Knot design
- Tasteful, discrete design
- Eye-clean, deep purple amethysts
- There can be few complaints for this quality of amethysts, at this price
3. Gem Stone King 925 Sterling Silver Amethyst Stud Earrings
Another nice pair of amethyst stud earrings, these could be viewed as a budget version of our best of the best selection.
Each stud features an amethyst measuring approximately 7mm in diameter, set in a four prong sterling silver setting. The silver setting is not rhodium plated though, and so isn’t as eye-catching as our best budget selection.
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- Good-sized amethysts for the price
- Nice colour and cut
- The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty
- Some issues reported with the posts on the earrings bending.
4. Sterling Silver Amethyst & White Sapphire Halo Studs
Something a little different from our other selections is this lovely pair of cushion cut amethyst earrings, surrounded by lab-created white sapphires. The settings for these earrings are a lovely, ornate, rhodium-plated sterling silver. I have always been a huge fan of cushion cut stones because of how they refract light differently, and these are no exception.
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- Surprisingly good cut of amethyst, given the price point
- Rhodium plating on the silver adds to the appeal
- Nice ornate settings
- The amethyst appears a little unsaturated in certain lights
- The chunky design wont be to everyone’s taste
5. Amethyst Sky Flower Stud Earrings
These amethyst flower studs are super cute and trendy. They're crafted in 925 sterling silver and rhodium plated.
The rhodium helps keep it from tarnishing like silver does, but it will eventually fade and leave it vulnerable.
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The amethysts themselves are on the smaller size, as the flower frame is larger. But at such a good price for genuine African amethyst, you might not want to pass up these earrings.
- Attractive flower design
- Natural African amethyst
- Choose other birthstone colors
- Rhodium will fade
- Amethyst might be too small
Our Top Pick: 14K White Gold Amethyst Studs
Overall, the 14K white gold amethyst earrings from James Allen are the best purchase. Whilst they are the most expensive, the quality in the color and light performance of the stones is simply leagues beyond the other competitors on the list.
Coupled with tasteful and discrete 14k white gold settings, and they’re everything a pair of amethyst earrings should be.
