How is dark amethyst typically lightened?

Dark amethyst is typically lightened by heating. Heating is a common practice in the gemstone industry to modify the color of certain stones. When it comes to amethyst, applying heat can often lighten the deep purple color, resulting in a more desirable shade. This process is carefully controlled to enhance the stone's appearance while maintaining its integrity.

Heating alters the iron impurities within the crystal structure of amethyst, which are responsible for its color. The right temperature can effectively diminish the intensity of the purple, leading to a lighter hue. This technique is widely accepted and recognized within gemology as a way to improve the visual appeal of darker specimens.