Purple Gemstones: Most Popular Purple Precious and Semi Precious Stones

Purple is the most mysterious, noble, and elegant of all colors. It’s rare in nature, and as a result, few gemstones are predominantly purple. So, do you know which gemstones are purple? Which purple gemstones are suitable for daily wear? Which is the best? The most popular? In this article, we will explore purple gemstones, listing the most popular and common ones, and providing detailed descriptions of the color tones, characteristics, and meanings of each to help you choose the perfect purple gemstone for you!

We’ll introduce gemstones by dividing them into precious and semi precious categories. So, do you know how many types of purple precious stones exist in nature? How many types of purple semi precious stones? Keep reading to find out!

Purple Precious Stones

Purple Diamond

I’m guessing you’ve never seen a natural purple diamond (no offense intended, as natural purple diamonds are the second rarest of all colored diamonds, just after red diamonds). Purple diamonds are the most precious and hardest purple gemstones (Mohs hardness 10), and yes, they are also the most expensive. The purple color of natural purple diamonds comes from hydrogen atoms in the diamond’s crystal lattice, and the color can range from light purple to deep purple, often with secondary hues like pink or blue. Purple diamonds symbolize nobility, mystery, and spiritual power; they are also a symbol of status and prestige. Additionally, they are the birthstone for April and the gemstone for the 60th wedding anniversary.

If you love the qualities of this rarest purple gemstone, you might consider purchasing a lab-grown purple diamond. Lab-grown purple diamonds have the same properties as natural ones, but they are more affordable and environmentally friendly.

Purple Sapphire

It’s no secret that sapphires come in various colors. You might have noticed that purple sapphire jewelry is rare, and this is because many jewelers heat-treat purple sapphires to turn them into the more popular and higher-priced pink sapphires. Purple sapphire is highly durable (Mohs hardness 9) and suitable for everyday wear. The purple color of purple sapphire is caused by trace amounts of chromium, iron, and titanium, ranging from light purple to deep purple, sometimes with blue or pink secondary hues. As the birthstone for September and the gemstone for the 45th anniversary, purple sapphire symbolizes wisdom, spiritual power, and a pure heart. A sapphire pendant necklace is a gift that you can’t go wrong with!

Color Change Sapphire

Among the types of sapphires, there is a very rare variety that exhibits the “alexandrite effect,” displaying different colors under different lighting by absorbing and transmitting light at different wavelengths. This is known as color change sapphire, and its physical characteristics are the same as other sapphires. The purple color of color change sapphire appears under incandescent light and is caused by trace elements (chromium, iron, titanium, or vanadium) within the stone. If the trace elements are primarily chromium, iron, and titanium, the color usually changes from blue or blue-violet to purple; if vanadium is dominant, the color change is more pronounced, typically from blue-green to purple. The purple color of color change sapphire ranges from blue-violet to red-violet. Color change sapphire is a gemstone that symbolizes change, wisdom, and emotion and is often regarded as a talisman or a tool to enhance personal energy.

Related Reading: You Should Know About Sapphire: History, Different Colors and Types

Purple Semi Precious Stones

There are many types of purple semi precious stones. Below are 18 common purple semi precious stones found in jewelry and suitable for daily wear:

• Alexandrite
• Tanzanite
• Amethyst
• Purple Pearl
• Purple Tourmaline
• Purple Garnet 
• Purple Spinel
• Lavender Jadeite
• Purple Topaz
• Purple/ Violet Opal
• Charoite
• Purple Zircon
• Purple Agate
• Purple Iolite
• Purple Chalcedony
• Purple Kunzite
• Purple Fluorite
• Sugilite

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a unique “purple” gemstone that doesn’t maintain a single color; it changes from bluish-green to purplish-red depending on the light source. It appears bluish-green in natural light and purplish-red under incandescent light, a phenomenon known as the “alexandrite effect.” Alexandrite is extremely rare and highly durable (Mohs hardness 8.5), making it suitable for everyday wear, which is why alexandrite engagement rings have become a popular choice for many. This purple semi precious stone is not only the birthstone for June but also the 55th-anniversary stone, symbolizing change and adaptability. It is believed to balance emotions and intellect.

Tanzanite

Purple tanzanite jewelry has always been very popular, with hues ranging from captivating blue-violet to deep purple, and it meets the requirements for daily wear (Mohs hardness 6.5-7). Tanzanite is a beautiful purple semi precious stone, also known as blue-violet zoisite, found only in Tanzania, and it has become the national stone of Tanzania. This purple gemstone symbolizes new beginnings and inspires creativity, making it a stone that stimulates artistic expression. Additionally, tanzanite is the birthstone for December and the 24th-anniversary gemstone.

Amethyst

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz, and it is the most common and popular purple gemstone. This purple semi precious stone with a color range from light purple to deep violet and has great clarity and luster. Amethyst jewelry is relatively affordable among natural purple gemstone jewelry and has medium to high durability (Mohs hardness 7), making it suitable for daily wear. Believers attribute tranquility and clarity of thought to this purple semi precious stone, viewing it as a symbol of spiritual strength and loyalty. Many also claim that amethyst possesses healing properties and protects health. Moreover, amethyst is the birthstone for February and the 6th-anniversary gemstone.

Purple Pearl

Purple pearls mostly come from saltwater pearls (South Sea pearls), reflecting a soft purple sheen through the complex layers of nacre, with colors ranging from light purple, and pink-purple, to deep purple. Fine jewelry designers often use purple pearl, though its relative softness (Mohs hardness 2.5-4.5) requires careful protection during wear. Pearls are the birthstone for June and the 30th-anniversary gemstone, with purple pearls symbolizing purity, wisdom, and feminine strength.

Purple Tourmaline

Tourmaline is one of the multi-colored gemstones, and purple tourmaline is rare and beautiful, usually appearing as deep purple or pink-purple, with high transparency and luster. In colorful tourmaline jewelry, purple tourmaline is uncommon because 95% of natural tourmaline is black. This purple semi precious stone is highly durable (Mohs hardness 7-7.5), making it suitable for daily wear. People believe that purple tourmaline dispels negative energy and represents emotional balance. Additionally, tourmaline is the birthstone for October and the 8th-anniversary gemstone.

Purple Garnet 

Garnet comes in almost every color found in nature, with purple being one of the rarest. Purple garnet’s color ranges from light purple to deep violet, primarily caused by the chromium element in its chemical composition. Garnet jewelry is very popular, affordable, and has a hardness suitable for daily wear (Mohs hardness 6.5-7.5). This purple semi precious stone symbolizes loyalty, passion, and creativity, and people believe it inspires inner strength. Moreover, garnet is the birthstone for January and the 2nd-anniversary gemstone.

Purple Spinel

The newly designated birthstone for August is spinel, with red (often called “little ruby”) and blue spinel being very popular. Collectors highly prize purple spinel for its pure color and high transparency, which usually exhibits a rich and vivid hue. This purple semi precious stone has a wide range of hues, from light purple to deep purple, and its high durability (Mohs hardness 8) makes it ideal for long-term wear as jewelry. Purple spinel symbolizes spiritual calm and strength and is believed to promote recovery and renewal.

Lavender Jadeite

Lavender jadeite is a semi transparent purple semi precious stone, a rare variety of jadeite. Its color is soft and elegant, typically appearing as light purple or pinkish-purple with a silky luster. Lavender jadeite jewelry often comes in the form of bracelets and pendants. With good durability (Mohs hardness 6.5-7), it meets the requirements for daily wear. Jade has long been a symbol of peace and harmony, and lavender jadeite is believed to bring good luck and health, often used as a protective talisman.

Purple Topaz

Purple topaz is extremely rare in its natural form; jewelers create most purple topaz by heat treating or irradiating colorless or light-colored topaz to achieve the purple hue. Its hues can range from light purple to pinkish purple. November birthstone topaz jewelry has become popular not only because of its wide range of beautiful colors, but also because it is a very durable gemstone (Mohs hardness 8). In addition to being the November birthstone, topaz is also the 23rd anniversary gemstone. Purple topaz symbolizes hope and love and is believed to bring good luck and success.

Purple/Violet Opal

Purple Opal is a rare purple semi precious stone that differs from typical purple gemstones in that it has not only purple hues, but also the “play of color” effect. Its base color can range from light purple to deep purple. Colorful opal is used in various jewelry pieces, most commonly opal rings and opal pendants. However, you should wear this gemstone with care to avoid shock, as it is relatively soft (Mohs hardness 5.5-6). Purple Opal symbolizes creativity and self-expression and is believed to inspire emotional and artistic potential. Opal is also the birthstone for October, making it an ideal choice for those born in October.

Related Reading: What Are The Different Types Of Opal?

Charoite

Charoite is a very rare opaque to semi transparent purple semi precious stone, found only in the Siberian region of Russia. Its color ranges from light purple to deep purple, usually displaying a pearly luster. High-quality charoite may exhibit a “cat’s eye” effect. Despite its rarity and single-source origin, charoite is quite affordable, priced at just a few dollars per carat. With moderate hardness (Mohs hardness 5-6), it is commonly used to make decorative items and is believed to help overcome fear and negative emotions.

Purple Zircon

Zircon, the birthstone for December, is an affordable natural gemstone with high durability (Mohs hardness 7.5) and is one of the most common gemstones in the jewelry market. Zircon comes in various colors, with purple zircon typically exhibiting deep purple to purplish-red hues. It is not only highly refractive and brilliantly lustrous but also reasonably priced, making it very popular. This purple gemstone symbolizes wisdom and truth and is believed to enhance confidence and protect health.

Purple Agate

Purple agate is a common purple semi precious stone, usually displaying even patterns of light purple to deep purple, with stripes or wave-like color variations. Jewelers often make agate into bracelets, and its relatively high hardness (Mohs hardness 6.5-7) makes it suitable for daily wear. Agate is said to have healing properties, with the belief that wearing agate jewelry can promote health. Purple agate symbolizes stability and balance, bringing inner peace and harmony.

Iolite

Iolite is a pleochroic semi precious stone, with its name derived from the Greek word for violet. Its purple typically appears as bluish-purple, with high transparency and luster. People also call this bluish-purple semi precious stone “water sapphire” and “Viking’s compass,” and it boasts good durability (Mohs hardness 7-7.5). Iolite symbolizes intuition and revelation, and it is believed to help the wearer discover their true inner self.

Purple Chalcedony

Purple chalcedony is a microcrystalline variety of quartz, a semi transparent purple gemstone that ranges in color from light purple to deep purple with a smooth surface. Jewelry designers commonly use it in jewelry and decorative items because it has good durability (Mohs hardness 6.5-7). This purple gemstone symbolizes inner peace and composure and is believed to provide psychological comfort and support.

Kunzite

Kunzite is a semi transparent purple semi precious stone, with colors ranging from light purple to deep purple, typically appearing as light purple with good luster. This purple gemstone symbolizes the purity of love and emotions, believed to bring inner peace and tranquility. Kunzite jewelry is affordable and durable (Mohs hardness 6.5-7), but it is important to note that its chemical structure is unstable and may fade in overly warm environments.

Purple Fluorite

Fluorite is a colorful mineral, and purple fluorite usually exhibits hues from purple to deep purple with a good luster. This purple semi precious stone is relatively soft (Mohs hardness 4) and therefore not suitable for everyday wear. Purple fluorite symbolizes protection and clear thinking and is believed to help enhance concentration and mental stability.

Sugilite

Sugilite is a rare mineral that typically appears in a rich deep violet color, with an even and intense hue, sometimes containing black or gray inclusions. It is often confused with charoite. This purple semi precious stone has good durability (hardness of 6-6.5) and is suitable for daily wear. Sugilite symbolizes spirituality and protection and is believed to enhance intuition and aid in self-healing.

Final Thoughts

This article lists 21 purple gemstones, including three precious purple stones and 18 semi precious purple stones. Each of these purple gemstones has its own unique beauty and symbolic meaning. I hope this helps you find the purple gemstone you love! MollyJewelryUS offers a variety of gemstone jewelry, including elegant purple gemstone pieces! Whether you want to purchase ready-made purple gemstone jewelry or have something custom-made, we can make it happen. Let us know which gemstone you like!

FAQs about Purple Gemstones