Ametrine is a genuine two-in-one gemstone. It is a single quartz crystal that holds both purple amethyst and golden citrine, with a visible border between them. The split happens because different zones of the crystal grew at different temperatures, changing how the iron inside shows its colour. Nearly all natural ametrine comes from one place, the Anahi mine in eastern Bolivia. Legend says the mine was given to a Spanish soldier in the 1600s as a dowry when he married a local princess.
Ametrine shares quartz's hardness of 7, so it handles daily wear in rings, pendants and earrings without fuss. Cutters usually facet it in long rectangular shapes to show both colours side by side, which looks fantastic. Warm, soapy water and a soft brush keep it clean, and it is best kept out of strong sunlight for long stretches. Lab-grown and heat-treated versions exist, so buy from a seller you trust. Everything at Unearthed Gemstones is the genuine article.
Ametrine is literally both of these gemstones in one crystal: purple amethyst meeting yellow citrine.
