This week's debut brings two very different but equally compelling stones to the SARDA™ stage. The See A Victory collection makes its entrance in Brazilian amethyst — violet, luminous, and cut into shimmering checkerboard cushions that multiply light at every angle. Alongside it comes lepidolite: a soft lavender mica mineral, rarely seen in jewelry, carved into a singular mermaid pendant for the Parted Water collection. Together they represent the full range of what gemstone artistry can be — from classic purple elegance to one-of-a-kind sculptural craft. Read on to meet both stones up close.
Brazilian Amethyst: Deep Violet with a Checkerboard Cut
Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz, and Brazil is the world's most prolific source. The stones debuting this week in the See A Victory collection are cut in a long cushion checkerboard pattern — a multi-faceted style that breaks light into dozens of individual flashes and deepens the violet saturation with every movement. Under natural daylight they read as a cool blue-purple; under incandescent light they warm into rich mauve.
Color comes from iron impurities and natural irradiation within the earth during crystal formation. All stones in this debut are heated — a standard, widely accepted treatment that improves color consistency without altering the stone's fundamental character. Amethyst was once grouped among the rarest precious gems alongside rubies and emeralds, until large deposits were discovered in South America in the 19th century. The ancient Greeks and Romans associated it with Dionysus, the god of wine, carving goblets from the stone in the belief it could ward off overindulgence. Today it remains February's birthstone and one of the most recognized purple gems in the world. Learn more at GIA.
The See A Victory collection debuts in five forms this week: dangle earrings (1.11 ctw), a dinner ring (1.91 ctw), a statement ring (5.31 ctw), a multi-stone toggle bracelet, and a multi-stone pendant with magnetic enhancer bail (5.31 ctw) — all set in .925 sterling silver with Tree of Life detailing.
Mohs Hardness: 7 — suitable for everyday wear with reasonable care. Store away from harder stones that could scratch the surface. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can gradually fade purple quartz over time. Clean with mild dish soap, lukewarm water, and a soft brush; rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Shop See A Victory at SARDA New Arrivals →
Lepidolite: A Lavender Mica Carved into a Mermaid
Lepidolite belongs to the mica mineral family, forming in lithium-rich pegmatite veins — the same geological environments that produce tourmaline, topaz, and aquamarine. Brazil is one of the world's principal sources of gem-quality lepidolite, prized for its soft palette of lavender, lilac, rose, and gray and its distinctive silky luster. The mineral's lithium content has long made it a subject of fascination for mineral collectors and gemologists worldwide.
This week's lepidolite piece is something singular: a 78.2-carat carved mermaid cabochon pendant in the Parted Water collection. The mermaid form is hand-carved from a single stone, showcasing lepidolite's characteristic pearlescent shimmer — a soft, layered flash that comes from its plate-like crystal structure. This stone is untreated: the lavender and rose tones you see are entirely as the earth made them. The pendant is bezel-set in sterling silver with a sealife-inspired setting and a magnetic enhancer bail, allowing it to slide onto a range of chains or cord styles. Learn more at the International Gem Society.
Mohs Hardness: 2.5–3 — lepidolite is a soft stone best treated as a statement pendant worn with intention rather than every day. Keep it away from hard surfaces and other jewelry. Store individually in a soft pouch, and clean gently with a barely damp, lint-free cloth only — no ultrasonic cleaners or soaking.
Shop Parted Water at SARDA New Arrivals →
Caring for This Week's Stones
Amethyst and lepidolite sit at very different points on the hardness scale, so each calls for a different approach.
Amethyst (Mohs 7)
A reliable choice for regular wear. Store amethyst separately from harder stones — diamonds, sapphires, moissanite — that could scratch its surface. Limit prolonged direct sunlight exposure, which can gradually lighten the purple color over months or years. Clean with a soft toothbrush, mild dish soap, and lukewarm water; rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. SARDA's Jewelry Cleaning Kit is safe for amethyst and effective on the sterling silver setting at the same time.
Lepidolite (Mohs 2.5–3)
Handle with intention. Lepidolite's layered mica structure scratches easily against other materials, so always store this pendant individually in a soft cloth or padded pouch — never loose in a jewelry tray with other pieces. Remove before exercise, reaching into bags, or any activity that could bring it into contact with hard surfaces. To clean, wipe only with a barely damp, lint-free cloth; no ultrasonic cleaners, no soaking, no chemical solutions. For sterling silver care guidelines that apply to the setting, see SARDA's full Sterling Silver Care Guide.