Reina Silver Ring - Amethyst, Zirconia

Silver 925 is an alloy consisting of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz — the same stone as citrine, just in a different «mood».

Its color comes from traces of iron and the natural irradiation of rocks over time.

It forms in volcanic geodes, some as large as a room, lined with thousands of purple crystals — especially in Brazil and Uruguay.

The name comes from Ancient Greek and means «not intoxicated»: the ancients believed it warded off drunkenness and even carved wine cups from it.

The romantic tale in which the god Dionysus weeps for a girl turned to stone is, in fact, a literary invention from around the 16th century — beautiful, but not an ancient myth.

Amethyst remains to this day the stone of Catholic bishops’ rings, a symbol of temperance and spiritual authority.

It was once as prized as ruby or emerald — among the «cardinal stones» — until the huge deposits discovered in Brazil in the 19th century drove its price down.

That’s exactly when the term «semi-precious» appeared, tied to this sudden abundance.

Its color ranges from pale lavender to a deep, intense purple; the most coveted show a rich violet with reddish flashes.

Associated with calm, mental clarity, and balance, amethyst is the birthstone of February.

With a hardness of 7, it’s suitable for everyday wear, but prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade its color — so keep it away from strong heat.

Clean it with a soft cloth and lukewarm water. This elegant hue looks stunning in 925 silver and white gold.

The zirconia used in jewelry (cubic zirconia) is a stone that’s entirely man-made.

It’s zirconium dioxide melted at over 2700°C and carefully crystallized to obtain a clear, inclusion-free stone.

It’s virtually absent in nature — a triumph of the lab.

It even has a Cold War backstory: it was perfected by Soviet scientists at the Lebedev Institute in Moscow in the 1970s, under the name “fianit”.

The result mimics a diamond’s fire so well that it has become the most popular sparkling and affordable alternative to diamond.

Good to know: it’s different from “zircon,” which is a completely separate natural gemstone.

Most often it’s colorless, mirroring diamond, but it can be produced in any color.

Its strong brilliance is beautifully showcased in 925 silver and gold.

As a modern stone, it doesn’t have its own symbolic tradition, but it’s loved for its sparkle and versatility.

With a hardness of 8–8,5 it stands up well to everyday wear, requiring only moderate care.

Clean it gently to keep its fire, and it’s right at home in everyday jewelry.