Dyber Ametrine

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust. It is composed of the elements silicon and oxygen, and in its pure state is colorless. However, small amounts of various impurity atoms can yield a wide range of colors. Amethyst, the most prized gem variety of quartz, is purple. Citrine is the golden-yellow to orange variety of quartz. The fancy cut gem here is part amethyst and part citrine, known as ametrine. Even though ametrine is a naturally occurring variety of quartz, most ametrine is artificially created by heat treatment and/or radiation of amethyst. The color zoning in ametrine is due to differing oxidation states of iron inside the crystal. Most ametrine is mined in Bolivia, however there are deposits in Brazil and India.

This ametrine is a wonderful addition to the National Gem Collection as it represents state-of-the-art creative cutting techniques being used today. The Dyber Ametrine incorporates “Dyber Optic Dishes” creating optical illusions and is faceted and carved by hand.

Gift of Michael Dyber in 2005.