Color: Found in abundance, in
its purest form, Amethyst is colorless. The finest quality Amethyst is medium to medium
dark in tone, vivid in intensity, and purple, reddish purple to bluish purple in hue.
Heating removes the color from amethyst or changes it to the yellow of citrine. Most
commercial citrine is made in this manner.
Description: SiO2 Amethyst is the
most valuable transparent, coarse-grained variety of the silica mineral quartz that is
valued as a semiprecious gem for its violet color. It contains more iron oxide Fe2O3
than any other variety of quartz, and experts believe that its color arises from its iron
content. Other theories attribute the color to contained manganese or hydrocarbons.
All forms of quartz (including amethyst) are piezoelectric, making for important
applications in electronics. Tourmaline
is the only other gemstone that possesses this property.
The name's origin: Amethyst derives its name from Middle
English amatist, from Old French, from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethustos, not drunk
or intoxicating.
Birthstone: Amethyst is the birthstone of Aquarius (Water
Bearer): Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Wedding anniversary: Amethyst is anniversary gemstone for
the 4th and 6th year of marriage.
Varieties: Oriental amethyst, or purple sapphire, is not quartz
but a variety of corundum, a much harder and rarer stone.
Care and treatment: Amethyst often becomes paler if kept
out in the sun. Clean your Amethyst in ultrasonic jewelry cleaner or with warm, soapy
water and a soft bristle brush. Keep away from strong chemicals and avoid sudden
temperature changes. Remember that in any type of repair involving heat, Amethyst must be
removed from the setting.
From the stone history: The story of the origin of amethyst
comes from Greek legends: The god of wine, Bacchus, was insulted one day by a mere
mortal. He swore the next mortal that crossed his path, would be attacked by his fierce
tigers. Along came a beautiful maiden named Amethyst. Goddess Diana turned Amethyst in a
beautiful statue of quartz to save her from the tigers claws. Remorseful Bacchus wept
tears of wine over the stone maiden, creating a lively purple stone.
Purple color has long been considered a royal color so it is not surprising that amethyst
has been so popular through the history. Fine amethysts are featured in the British Crown
Jewels and were also a favorite of Catherine the Great and Egyptian royalty. There are
evidences that around 3,000 B. C. in Egypt and in anterior Asia were made jewels of
Amethyst.
The Amethyst is perhaps as popular today as it was in ancient time.
Shopping guide: Amethyst is a wonderful affordable purple
gemstone. Purple has long been the color of royalty and nobility. It is a deep, passionate
color that evokes emotions. People who desire purple colors are individuals who like to
make a personal statement, and express their unique taste.
Designers celebrate Amethyst as the ideal choice for jewelry due to its regal color,
variety in size and shape, affordability, and wide tonal range from light to dark purple.
The pale colors are sometimes called "Rose de France" and can be seen set in
Victorian jewelry. The deep colors are the most valuable, particularly a rich purple with
rose flashes.
Amethyst is wonderful in rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, and bracelets. It is given
as a symbol of sincerity, security, and peace of mind.
Healing ability: Ametyst magnifies psychic abilities and
right-brain activity. It strengthens immunity, while energizing and purifying the blood.
Ametyst relieves headaches, improves blood sugar imbalance.
Mystical power: The Greek work "amethystos"
basically can be translated as "not drunken" , expresses the ancient folk belief
that the stone protects its owner against drunkenness. As the myth goes, drinking wine
from an Amethyst goblet would prevent one from becoming inebriated. The gemstone still
symbolizes sobriety.
Amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy. Because of that, amethyst was very important
in the ornamentation of churches in the Middle Ages. Bishops still often wear amethyst
rings.
Amethyst is associated with a number of superstitions, being regarded as a love charm, and
as a protection against thieves.
In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned
from it.
Placed under the pillow at night, the beautiful amethyst is believed to produce a calm and
peaceful sleep.
Amethyst is given as a symbol of sincerity, security, and peace of mind.
Deposits: Amethyst is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka,
Siberia, Canada, India, Bolivia, and Argentina and some African countries. Zambia being a
significant source for Amethyst. Generally, amethyst from South America tends to be
available in larger sizes than African amethyst but amethyst from Africa has the
reputation for having better, more saturated, color in small sizes. Very dark amethyst,
mostly in small sizes, is also mined in Australia.