Amethyst Glass

Amethyst glass is the perfect collectible for those who love the color purple. So named for the shades of deep plum to aubergine similar to the gemstone, amethyst glass was popular among 19th and 20th century audiences.

In the pursuit for novelty in glassware design, some companies began experimenting with chemical additions to their glass to manipulate their color. Soon it was realized that adding the compound manganese oxide to glass counteracted the green tint yielded by iron and resulted in richly colored vessels.

These deep, warm shades of amethyst were used for all types of glassware, from utilitarian beakers and flasks to more ornamented decanters and goblets. Regardless of function, though, amethyst glass pieces all reflect the dynamic spirit of innovation that make collecting antique glassware so exhilarating.

Quick Facts

• Amethyst glass pieces can vary in price depending on whether they were blown or molded
• A variation is black amethyst, that appears dark under normal light but, when held near an intense light source, the color seems dark purple
• If a glass vessel in closer to violet, it might not be amethyst glass but rather had changed color due to extended ultraviolet light exposure