![purple amethyst gemstone purple amethyst gemstone](http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/10581/11160862_3.jpg)
Tibetans make and use amethyst prayer beads or malas, as they consider the stone sacred to Buddha – and in biblical lore, Amethyst was among the stones adorning Aaron’s breastplate. READ ALSO: The History of Engagement Rings In medieval Europe, soldiers wore amulets of amethyst in an attempt to keep calm and focused, and as a form of protection during battle. Because both men were Romans, Roman women began wearing amethyst jewelry in hopes of preventing their husbands from going astray. Falcons and scarabs were popular, and Cleopatra swore by an amethyst ring which she believed influential in her ability to captivate Marc Anthony and Julius Caesar. Like the Greeks, Egyptians carved beautiful works of art from amethyst. Museum of Vietnamese History, Ho Chi Minh City.Įgyptians enjoyed amethysts too many fine examples have been found at burial sites, and can be seen in museums. It continues to indicate sobriety today – so much so that Anglican bishops wear episcopal rings set with amethysts to represent the apostles’ state of sobriety at Pentecost (Acts 2:15).Įnd of crown from the 8th-9th century AD. Greeks often wore amethyst jewelry, and many a Greek wine goblet was carved of amethyst or adorned with the stones in an attempt to prevent drunkenness. READ ALSO: Passion and Desire: The Romance of Rubies Amethyst was transformed into purple crystal, and since that day, the stone was used as protection against intoxication. Dionysus quickly saw the error of his ways and wept into his wine, which he then spilled onto the statue. Diana saw what was happening and to prevent the tigers from harming the maiden, she turned Amethyst into a crystal statue. He summoned a pair of tigers to devour Amethyst. A maiden named Amethyst crossed his path and refused to partake, since she was on her way to honor the goddess Diana.ĭionysus became even angrier. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimoreĭionysus, angered by an insult, vowed to punish mortals who refused to partake in his gifts, which were wine and intoxication. Carved amethyst set in a modern gold mount, from the 3rd century BC. Gems can often be found in larger sizes and are used in carvings as well as traditional faceted gems.Head of Queen Arsinoe II (Greece). However, it can occasionally be heated to lighten the color slightly, or to turn it into the more rare and valuable ametrine.īecause it is relatively common and has good hardness (7 on the Mohs scale), amethyst is very popular in jewelry. In the US, Georgia has produced some remarkable gem-grade amethyst and the Four Peaks region of Arizona is famous for its deep-colored amethyst deposits.Īmethyst is typically untreated.
![purple amethyst gemstone purple amethyst gemstone](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/42/65/ac/4265aca3820aa5bf8bcae2711ee862b7--amethyst-gemstone-purple-amethyst.jpg)
Siberia historically has produced some very fine deep purple amethyst.
![purple amethyst gemstone purple amethyst gemstone](https://lauriedonovan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Amethyst-2.54ct-10x8-1W-290979.jpg)
The most significant economic deposits are in Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia. There are no named varieties or species of amethyst.Īmethyst is found in a wide variety of locations around the world. The finest amethyst will show flashes of red and blue in a traditionally faceted stone deep purple amethyst with this effect can be quite valuable as it is relatively rare. The color of amethyst can range from a very light violet-pink (“Rose de France”) to a very deep purple. The ancient Greeks and Romans thought that it could help prevent drunkenness, and wore jewelry made of amethyst or drank from vessels carved from amethyst. It’s been known and used as a gemstone since antiquity.
![purple amethyst gemstone purple amethyst gemstone](https://www.gemselect.com/photos/amethyst/amethyst-gem-310014c.jpg)
It’s perched on a couple of natural amethyst crystals from Nigeria ready to be sent and cut into gemstones, and next to it is a 11.18 carat Uruguayan amethyst that measures 14.4mm.Īmethyst is the purple variety of the common rock crystal, or quartz. This image features a custom amethyst ring showcasing a 3.98 carat Uruguayan amethyst and 66 points of diamonds set in 14k yellow gold.