Amethyst, February's birthstone, has been a prized gem for centuries. The purple variety of quartz and the most valued member of the quartz family, amethyst ranges in color from pale lilac to deep purple. The deep colors are the most valuable, particularly a rich purple with rose-colored flashes. Amethyst is found inside of geodes and in alluvial deposits all around the world and occurs in crystalline or massive forms. When manganese is present in clear quartz, amethyst is produced. The depth of purple depends on the amount of iron contained in the specimen.
The purple color of amethyst has long been considered a stone of royalty so it is not surprising that it has been in demand for many thousands of years. The stone is included in royal collections all over the world, from ancient Egypt to the British crown jewels. The Smithsonian owns a 400 pound uncut crystal amethyst!
Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and quicken intelligence. Because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, it was very important in the ornamentation of churches in the Middle Ages. Considered to be the stone of bishops, amethyst was worn in their rings.
Throughout history, amethyst has been considered a strong guard against drunkenness and the gemstone still symbolizes sobriety. It has been used for hearing disorders, insomnia, headaches and other pain. Amethyst is worn to make the wearer gentle and amiable. Lore says that amethyst will give you the power to dream, heal, and obtain mental balance and clarity while protecting you from the battles in life. The result is life-long happiness.
The origin of amethyst comes from a Greek myth. Bacchus, the god of wine, was angered one day by an insult from a mere mortal. He swore the next mortal that crossed his path would be attacked by his fierce tigers. Along came the unsuspecting Amethyst, a beautiful young maiden on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Diana. Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to protect her from the brutal claws of the tigers. Bacchus wept tears of wine in remorse at the sight of the beautiful stone maiden. His tears stained the quartz purple creating the gemstone we know today.
Most of the amethyst used today comes from areas or regions of Mexico, Brazil, Africa and Uruguay. It is also mined in Canada (Northwestern Ontario), Bolivia and Argentina. Experts can identify where the piece comes from based on its color and characteristics. Most stones on the market today are heat treated to produce a deeper color. Heat treating is permanent and these stones will not fade over time.
Amethyst is a wonderful and affordable purple-hued gemstone. Be sure to check out our featured design, a beautiful triple-strand amethyst necklace and matching earwires.
Happy birthday to all our readers born in February!
