| Geological Information | | | | mortals who did not get drunk and celebrate. |
| Amethyst is a high-quality form of quartz crystal, | | | | A young maiden called Amethyst was on her |
| naturally found as clusters in a nodular stone. | | | | way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana, when |
| They are found sometimes in volcanic vugs or | | | | she was captured by the furious Dionysus. Being |
| small cavities in rocks. The chemical name for | | | | so innocent she was not familiar with drinking and |
| Amethyst is Silicon Dioxide. Amethyst obtains its | | | | intoxication. Dionysus brought two tigers to eat |
| color through a combination of manganese | | | | her and sat back with his wine to watch. |
| impurities and iron. | | | | Amethyst called upon Diana for help, who turned |
| The purple color comes from the presence of | | | | Amethyst into a crystalline quartz statue to |
| manganese, while the existence of iron in certain | | | | protect her. Seeing Amethyst like that, Dionysus |
| quantities controls the intensity of the color. | | | | wept tears of wine, which stained the quartz |
| Artificial heating treatments have been used on | | | | purple creating the gemstone amethyst. Owing to |
| Amethyst to produce popular gems known as | | | | its name and mythological origin, it was believed |
| Citrine and Ametrine (400 and 500 degrees | | | | that the wearer of amethyst jewelry is immune |
| Celsius). Amethyst measures 7 on Mohs' hardness | | | | to becoming intoxicated. Moreover, amethyst |
| scale. | | | | used to be carved into cups with the belief that |
| One of the largest cut amethysts in the world is | | | | drinking from it helps to cure and avoid positioning. |
| 343 carats and is being displayed at the National | | | | Purple color has long been associated with royalty. |
| History Museum in London. Very dark stones are | | | | Because of its purple color and beauty, amethyst |
| sometimes heated to enhance color. | | | | was favored by the royals for centuries. |
| Metaphysical and Healing Properties | | | | Amethyst necklaces and jewelry were found |
| New Age supporters believe that crystal and gem | | | | buried in the tombs of Ancient Egyptians, and was |
| healing is an art. Objects such as gems and | | | | a personal favorite of Queen Catherine the Great. |
| crystals have absorbed and inherited the vital | | | | It is still being used today, with the rare ones |
| healing powers of Mother Earth. They believe that | | | | decorating the British Crown Jewels. Amethyst is |
| crystals and gems have physical and spiritual | | | | mentioned in the Old Testament and the Bible, |
| powers that can be used as a therapy for pain, | | | | and is thought to encourage celibacy and |
| stress and depression. | | | | symbolize holiness. Cardinals and Bishops in the |
| Amethyst has come to be known to possess | | | | Catholic Church wear rings with a large amethyst |
| prolific purifying healing powers. It acts as a healer | | | | as a part of their office. In Tibet, amethyst is a |
| at all levels of mind, body and soul, and is | | | | sacred gem to Buddha. |
| commonly associated with peace. It has a | | | | Physical and Optical Properties |
| tremendous ability of reducing negativity and | | | | Amethyst is available in a wide variety of sizes |
| anxiety. | | | | and shapes. Large stones could be sold in free |
| Placing it under the pillow is said to calm the mid, | | | | sizes but usually amethyst is cut in certain |
| encourage sleep and dispel nightmares. Amethyst | | | | dimensions. |
| is also known to enhance mental strength and | | | | This semi-precious stone is unique in color. With |
| stability. It is considered an ideal stone for those | | | | colors range from pale lilac to deep purple, |
| who are struggling with addiction or recovering | | | | including a reddish shades sometimes, amethyst is |
| from alcoholism. | | | | the most valuable form of quartz. In jewelry, the |
| Beside its mental therapeutic benefits, amethyst is | | | | deepest shades of Amethyst, which maintain their |
| used as a remedy for many physical afflictions. | | | | transparency, are considered the most precious. |
| When used as a medical solution, amethyst is | | | | A unique Brazilian amethyst in pastel shade of lilac |
| used to treat toothaches, skeletal discomforts, | | | | with pinkish tones is known as Rose de France |
| and other bone and joint-related sicknesses. | | | | Amethyst. It is a very clean gemstone and was |
| Amethyst also cures stomach problems, blood | | | | very popular during the Victorian age. Though it is |
| disease as well as heart and hearing disorders. | | | | frequently found in antique jewelry, Rose de |
| Amethyst as crystal is used to heal nervous | | | | France Amethyst is becoming popular again |
| system problems such as neuralgia. | | | | nowadays. |
| Amethyst in Jewelry | | | | Geographical Information |
| Amethyst is the traditional gem for the 4th, 6th | | | | Amethyst is found globally, at very affordable |
| and 17th wedding anniversaries. It is used as | | | | prices, in countries like Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, |
| faceted stones and is carved in various shapes. | | | | Mexico, United States, Zambia, Namibia and other |
| Amethyst gemstones are used in necklaces, | | | | African countries. Amethyst has been named the |
| earrings, rings, bracelets, brooches, and pendants. | | | | state gemstone of South Carolina. |
| This highly praised stone is also shaped and used | | | | Amethyst deposits can also be found in other |
| other items such as hair accessories, key rings | | | | countries such as: Germany, Italy, Bolivia, |
| and watches. | | | | Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka. However, the |
| History | | | | quality of amethyst differs by region and source. |
| Amethyst gets its name from the Greek word | | | | Amethyst coming from South America is likely |
| amethustos, meaning "not drunken". The origin of | | | | larger than the African amethyst. However, |
| amethyst name and its healing properties come | | | | Amethyst from Africa is known for better and |
| from a Greek legend telling the story of how | | | | deeper color. Dark amethyst in small sizes is also |
| Dionysus, god of wine and intoxication was angry | | | | found in Australia. |
| from one mortal that he swore revenge on all | | | | |