Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz, with the name originating from the Koine Greek word “amethystos” meaning “not drunken” in association to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness.
The purple colour of Amethyst ranges from a light lilac to a deep, intense royal purple, and from brownish to vivid. It also displays what is called colour zoning; usually exposing to view angular zones of darker to lighter colour.
Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Zambia are sited as major sources of this gemstone. However, Brazil produces stones of larger size but generally moderate colour whereas smaller and more richly coloured stones are gotten in Zambia as well as Uruguay.
In Medieval times, Amethyst was considered a symbol of royalty and used to decorate English regalia. It was also thought to encourage celibacy and symbolized piety; and was very important in the ornamentation of Catholic and other churches. This gemstone was particularly considered to be the stone of bishops and some still wear amethyst rings.
Whilst medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that it heals people and keep them cool-headed, early Greek legends associated this gem with Bacchus, the god of wine and believed that wearing it prevents drunkenness.
Using warm soapy water to clean this gem is the safest and recommended way of caring for this gemstone.
Today, alongside being the birthstone for February, it is also the gem for the 6th and 17th wedding anniversaries. Call Razi to get one of these awesome stones.
