Amethyst, the violet variety of quartz, whose name has been derived from an Ancient Greek word a- ("not") and methustos ("intoxicated"), is as interesting a gemstone as its history. Dionysus, the Greek god of intoxication, was pursuing a maiden by the name of Amethystos. But it so happened that that maiden turned down his affections. To ensure this, she prayed to the gods to help her remain pure. Her wish was granted and she turned into a white stone. Dionysus was so deeply humbled by Amethystos’s desire to remain chaste that as an offering he poured wine over the stone and the white stone’s crystals turned purple. This is how amethyst is believed to have born.
Chemically speaking, amethyst is a result of mechanical stresses which results in superimposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. It is a hard stone, with a hardness level of 7 on Mohs scale favoring its usage in jewelry. Not just for its luxuriant lilac to purple color, it is a loved-by-all gemstone in beaded necklaces or in plain necklace and other jewelry pieces, like bracelets, earrings, finger rings, etc.,.
Amethyst is found in shades ranging from light pinkish violet to rich purple. It may also give out red and blue secondary hues. The ideal grade is called "Deep Siberian" and has a primary purple hue of around 75–80 percent, 15–20 percent blue and (depending on the light source) red secondary hues.
The color of amethyst is more often than not irregularly distributed. To accommodate this patchyness, this stone is mostly cut as brilliant round cuts or beads to maximize the color. Other cuts can be used when the color is better distributed.
On one hand, amethyst has been known as an antidote to intoxication. However, on other hand, the royalty and richness exuded by its purple color gives a high which is unequaled. Amethyst has been used since the dawn of history to adorn the rich and powerful monarchs and rulers. Today, amethyst is a lovely and affordable gemstone that is fortunately available in a wide variety of cut and uncut stones that we can all possess and admire in form of necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry pieces, or in studded in murals, lavish paintings, etc.,.
Taking its intoxication aspect a little further, it was believed that Amethyst protected its owner and wearers from drunkenness. That’s why ancient Greek and Romans wore amethyst and made drinking vessels or wine goblets carved from it. Medieval Europeans had a tad different belief; they wore amethyst amulets for their protection in battles. Beads of amethyst were found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. The Ancient Egyptians too had a diverse faith. They used Amethyst as a gemstone largely employed in antiquity for intaglio engraved gems.
Geographical names that find reference with amethyst are Minas Gerais in Brazil and South Korea where this lilac gemstone is found in abundance occurring as geodes within volcanic rocks. Mazatal Mountain region in Arizona is the only US location that currently mines fine quality gems that are sold in fine jewelry, while Maissau, Lower Austria takes all the luck to have the largest opencast amethyst vein. Zambia takes the cake as the world’s largest producer with an annual production. The highest grade amethyst is called "Deep Russian". It is exceptionally rare and therefore its value is dependent on the demand of collectors.
Here’s something interesting about amethyst locations: agate hollows of Brazil and Uruguay harbor crop of amethyst crystals in the interior. This corroborates similar origin of agates and amethysts.
Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for people born in February. It is also called Power Stone owing to its profuse healing properties. Take as a folklore, amethyst is considered as a dream stone and to aid insomnia. Sleep with an amethyst under your pillow to bring about pleasant dreams, or rub it across your forehead to offer relief from a headache. Many professionals of healing field consider amethyst as “nature’s tranquilizer” because of its effectiveness in relaxing not only the mind but also the nervous system. This purple gemstone is related to and found to heal and align ailments of the 6th and 7th Chakras, which are the Third Eye or Brow (6th) and the Crown (7th).
A gemstone with innumerable admirers from times immemorial is bound to integral part of collectibles and arty pieces from ancient times and preserved in museums. Your desire to own an amethyst masterpiece is not difficult to be realized. The Royal Worcester Porcelain Works in Englan houses tall, slender vases with slightly flared top rims, like the 1926 earthenware vase with a gorgeous amethyst glaze thrown in Bybee, Ky, in 1926, or the mottled green vase made by Leon and Charles Volkmar in 1910 for the Volkmar Kilns in Metuchen. They may not be ostentatious, but they are the real lesson Charles Cotton Dana was trying to teach.
Possess an amethyst beaded necklace or as an artifact, it will surely become your most prized possession.
