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