An amethyst geode can become the centrepiece of a room, but no two are alike, and the price range is wide. This guide explains what to look at before you buy, so you choose a piece you will love for years.
1. Colour: how deep is the purple?
Colour is the first thing most people notice. Amethyst runs from pale lilac through to deep violet and plum, and the colour is usually richest towards the top of a geode, where crystal growth is densest.
- Deep violet or plum pieces make the strongest statement and usually cost more.
- Lighter lilac pieces have a softer, airier look and can be excellent value.
- Even colour across the whole chamber is more prized than patchy colour, though natural zoning has its own character.
Look at photos taken in daylight rather than under strong lamps, and if you can, see the piece in person. Colour reads very differently in a bright room and a dim hallway.
2. Crystal size and sparkle
Look closely at the points lining the cavity. Large, well-formed points give a bold, architectural look. Small, tightly packed points (often called druzy) sparkle intensely as you move past. Neither is better; it depends on the effect you want. Check that the points are mostly intact, with no large chips on the most visible faces.
3. Choose the right shape
- Cathedral geodes are tall, upright halves of a geode with a deep chamber. They make dramatic floor or sideboard pieces and are the classic "statement" amethyst.
- Clusters are open sections of crystal, often on a stand, that show the points from every side.
- Cut-base geodes have a flat polished base so they stand securely on a desk, shelf or bedside table.
- Geode spheres are polished balls that open into a sparkling cavity on one side, combining a smooth finish with natural crystal.
4. Brazil or Uruguay?
Most amethyst geodes on the market come from Brazil and Uruguay. As a broad rule, Brazilian geodes are often larger, with bigger points and colour from lilac to deep purple, while Uruguayan amethyst is known for very deep colour and smaller, tightly packed crystals. Every piece varies, so judge the individual geode rather than the label.
5. Natural or treated?
Good sellers tell you plainly if a crystal has been treated. Some "citrine" geodes, for example, are amethyst that has been heated to turn it golden. Ask if you are unsure, and be cautious of unusually bright or uniform colours, or coatings that look metallic or oily, unless the seller describes them clearly.
6. Size, weight and where it will go
Measure the space before you buy. Check the listed height and weight, and remember that a large cathedral needs a stable, level surface and may need two people to move. Smaller geodes under a kilogram suit desks and shelves; pieces over 10kg usually work best on the floor or a sturdy sideboard.
7. Light and placement
Geodes sparkle most with light falling across them from the front or side. Amethyst can fade in strong, prolonged direct sunlight, so avoid a bright south-facing windowsill for your best pieces.
8. Caring for your geode
Dust with a soft, dry brush or a gentle blast of air. Avoid harsh cleaning products, and do not soak geodes with a basalt or matrix shell, as water can weaken the outer rock over time.
Amethyst meaning
In crystal tradition, amethyst is associated with calm, intuition and spiritual practice, which is why many people place it in meditation spaces and bedrooms. These meanings reflect long-standing belief rather than proven effects.
See a geode before you buy
Photos rarely capture the scale and sparkle of a geode. You are welcome to book a private viewing at our showroom in Hove, near Brighton, or ask for a live video viewing. Browse our amethyst geodes, our wider amethyst collection, or our soft-toned pink amethyst. UK delivery is free on orders of £100 or more, and every piece is packed by hand.