The rampant use of light to medium purple amethyst gems is basically related to the price of the gemstones. Darker and more saturated purple amethyst stones are priced higher and are therefore not common in wholesale gold or silver jewelry. The reference of African (darker amethyst) and Brazilian (lighter) amethyst gems is basically made to differentiate color. It does not clearly relate to the location of the particular amethyst mines. The Directstones report on amethyst gems has more details check it out at http://www.amethyst.directstones.com/amethyst-gemstone-01.htm
