Recently, Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems, announced it’s “Color of the Year” to be Ultra Violet. According to the company, Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future, making it the perfect shade to ring in the New Year! It is the type of color that inspires inventiveness and imagination, something we could all use going forward into 2018. In honor of Ultra Violet's selection, we're celebrating all things purple! Here are four of our favorite purple stones and the meaning behind each one.

Amethyst

2. 1. 18K YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND & AMETHYST THREE STRAND BEAD NECKLACE
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5. 2. 14K YELLOW GOLD AMETHYST AND DIAMOND BRACELET
   SOLD!

3. TIFFANY & CO. PALOMA PICASSO 18K YELLOW GOLD AMETHYST SUGAR STACKS RING
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4. PLATINUM AMETHYST AND DIAMOND RING
SOLD!

5. 14K WHITE GOLD AMETHYST AND DIAMOND RING
SOLD!

6. 14K YELLOW GOLD AMETHYST AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
SOLD!

Probably the best known of the purple gemstones, amethyst is a variety of quartz. It is often mistaken for a purple sapphire as in the case of the famous, cursed Delhi Purple Sapphire, which was actually a very large amethyst. While deep purple amethyst is valued above all, it is also available in lighter shades, sometimes referred to as "Rose de France." Perhaps one of the best gemstone mythologies, amethyst is attributed with the ability to prevent intoxication making it the perfect jewelry for the holiday season! Here we have a beautiful three strand amethyst bead necklace, a diamond and amethyst bracelet, and amethyst and diamond earrings. We also have a Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso amethyst sugar stack ring as well as two diamond and amethyst rings.

Tanzanite

1. 1. 14K WHITE GOLD TANZANITE AND DIAMOND EARRINGS
   ESER6120 || $1,575 || SHOP NOW

2. 18K YELLOW GOLD AND PLATINUM TANZANITE AND DIAMOND RING
SOLD!

A cool violet stone, tanzanite can range from violet to blue depending on the angle in which it’s viewed. In fact, despite being known as a purple stone, the most desirable tanzanite color is bright blue. It is found only in northern Tanzania, which is how Tiffany’s & Co. chose its name after it was discovered in 1967. According to their marketing department, the scientific name of "blue-violet zoisite" wasn’t consumer friendly enough. Tanzanite is also the official birthstone for December. Here we have a pair of lovely rectangular cut tanzanite earrings framed by 56 baguette cut diamonds as well as a stunning three stone tanzanite and diamond ring set in 18k yellow gold and platinum.

Lavender Jade

1. 1. 14K YELLOW GOLD LAVENDER JADEITE AND DIAMOND RING
   ESRG6131 || $795 || SHOP NOW

3. 2. 14K YELLOW GOLD LAVENDER JADE AND DIAMOND RING
   ESRG6689 || $550 || SHOP NOW

While lighter in color than our other purple gems, lavender jade is still a beauty! Jade comes in many different colors, the most common being green. Lavender jadeite is a rarity, and is found mostly only in Burma. Jade is especially important in Chinese culture. To the Chinese, jade is the embodiment of the Confucian virtues of courage, wisdom, modesty, justice and compassion. It is seen as a symbol of goodness, preciousness and beauty. Currently in our collection, we have two lavender jade rings. The first is set with an oval cut lavender jadeite and framed by 14 single cut diamonds. The second is bezel set with a round cut lavender jade and further set with 20 full cut diamonds.

Iolite

1. 1. 14K YELLOW GOLD IOLITE AND DIAMOND RING
   SOLD!

3. 2. 18K WHITE GOLD IOLITE AND DIAMOND ENHANCER
   SOLD!
   

Our last featured purple stone is iolite. Iolite’s name comes from the Greek work for violet, “ios.” Like tanzanite, it can appear blue or violet depending on how it is viewed. Historically, Vikings used iolite as a polarizing filter. By looking through an iolite lens, they could determine the exact location of the sun and navigate safely. Iolite carries with it the spirit of journey, dreams, and exploration. What better stone to take with you into the New Year! Two of our favorite iolite pieces are this split shank round iolite ring set in 14k yellow gold with 8 full cut diamonds and this lovely square cut iolite enhancer framed by 32 full cut diamonds.

Loving these purple stones? Browse our full vintage & estate online collection or visit us in stores to see more purple vintage and estate jewelry!