It weighs more than 2.5 lb (1.17 kg) and includes the 530-carat Cullinan I (Star of Africa) diamond and an additional 333 diamonds, 31 rubies, 15 emeralds, 7 sapphires, 6 spinels and 1 composite amethyst. The 3-ft-long (92 cm) scepter is held by the British monarch during coronation and represents the power of the head of state. The crown jewels of many countries, including Britain’s Sovereign Sceptre with Cross, include amethysts. In the 1800s, discoveries of multiple large amethyst mines in Brazil provided such a large supply that the gem was no longer rare, making it affordable.Some historians suggest that at one time, amethyst was the most valuable of all the cardinal gems because it was the color of kings, nobles, priests, and magistrates.It was one of the five traditional cardinal gemstones considered precious above all others, along with diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Amethyst has been valued as a gemstone for thousands of years.The historical romance around amethyst was derived from both its coveted deep purple color and its rareness. ![]()
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