Amethyst - A beautiful Purple Gemstone
- Mandira Das
- Aug 13, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 18, 2021
Amethyst is the most widely known gemstone in purple color. This stone is known to humankind for more than 4000 years! Amethyst was considered one of the most precious gemstones along with the top 4 gemstones, diamond, ruby, emerald, and sapphire.
HISTORY: Greeks in ancient times thought this stone looks like wine. Romans got the idea from them and believed, this stone could ward off drunkenness! They named it 'amethystos', an ancient Greek word for 'not toxicating'. People wear it as jewelry or drink from an amethyst cup to prevent intoxication or drunkenness. It didn't work obviously but showing off their prized possession was quite satisfying!
In the early 19th century, the discovery of the huge deposits of amethyst in Brazil made this stone more affordable. However, high-quality stones especially from Siberia and Uruguay can be very expensive.
WHAT IS IT: This stone is actually quartz in shades of purple formed in igneous rocks. The color saturation varies widely in the crystal, starting from pale lavender to dark purple. Sometimes it comes with a reddish or blueish hue. Iron impurities and other trace elements are the reason for the color. Radiation from the host rock, heat, and light are other contributing factors.
A CLOSER LOOK: If you see these specimens closely you can find some interesting patterns in them. The tips of the crystals are usually darker than the base. Darker colors mean higher iron content. It becomes lighter with fewer iron contents. Sometimes you can find pale yellow in places along with purple. If the amethyst stone gets exposed to UV radiation it becomes citrine, another lemon-colored gemstone. This can happen naturally or purposely in a lab. Amethyst requires some low-level gamma radiation though to get the nice purple color.
WHERE TO FIND: Amethyst is available in Uruguay, Russia, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, France, Bolivia, Madagascar, Tanzania, South Africa, Argentina, USA, Canada, and in many other countries apart from Brazil. In Canada, there are a few mines in Thunder Bay, Ontario where people can dig out their own stone and take it home!
CARE: This beautiful stone is quite hard but still can get scratched or chipped. You shouldn’t wear amethyst jewelry during physical activities where this kind of accident can happen. Bright sunlight and powerful artificial light can affect the color. Even prolonged exposer to display lights can fade the color.
For more care information, follow the jewelry care guide here
EFFECTS AND BELIEF: Amethyst is regarded as a stone with healing and calming effect. It is believed, this stone brings contentment, happiness, and love. Amethyst is the birthstone of February.
Check out amethyst jewelry in our collection @
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