Heat-Treated Amethyst: Most prasiolite is produced by heating natural amethyst in a laboratory oven to about 500 degrees Celsius. This heating changes the amethyst's colour from purple to green or yellowish-green.
Irradiated Amethyst: A small amount of prasiolite is produced by irradiating natural amethyst. This produces prasiolite with a light green colour. The green colour is often unstable and can fade to colourless if the stone is exposed to temperatures over about 150 degrees Celsius.
Naturally Heated Amethyst: Another small amount of amethyst is heated by natural processes. It is found where an amethyst-bearing rock unit has been heated by younger lava flows or nearby intrusions.
Facts:
- Mohs Hardness: 7
- Mineral: Quartz
Heat-Treated Amethyst: Most prasiolite is produced by heating natural amethyst in a laboratory oven to about 500 degrees Celsius. This heating changes the amethyst's colour from purple to...
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About Prasiolite
Heat-Treated Amethyst: Most prasiolite is produced by heating natural amethyst in a laboratory oven to about 500 degrees Celsius. This heating changes the amethyst's colour from purple to green or yellowish-green.
Irradiated Amethyst: A small amount of prasiolite is produced by irradiating natural amethyst. This produces prasiolite with a light green colour. The green colour is often unstable and can fade to colourless if the stone is exposed to temperatures over about 150 degrees Celsius.
Naturally Heated Amethyst: Another small amount of amethyst is heated by natural processes. It is found where an amethyst-bearing rock unit has been heated by younger lava flows or nearby intrusions.
Facts:
- Mohs Hardness: 7
- Mineral: Quartz