| The Amethyst Gemstone is a semi-precious jewel of | | | | were very important in the ornamentation of Catholic |
| violet or purple colour that is available in many different | | | | churches in the middle ages. |
| shapes and sizes and is a common form of | | | | In Tibet the Gemstone is considered to be sacred to |
| transparent crystallized Quartz. | | | | Buddha with rosaries being fashioned from it, therefore |
| Amethyst is the Birthstone for the month of February | | | | the jewel is believed to be an excellent stone for |
| and is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Russia, Bolivia and | | | | meditation. |
| Argentina, as well as Namibia, Zambia and a few other | | | | The healing power of the stone is said to be good for |
| African countries, within the United States of America, | | | | addictions, helping with arthritis, headaches, blood sugar |
| Arizona is a good source of Amethyst. The purple | | | | levels, brain imbalances and a remedy for stomach |
| colouring of the Amethyst is caused by impurities of | | | | disorders. |
| iron and manganese. | | | | The jewel is also said to bring serenity and calm and |
| Amethyst compliments both warm and cool colours so | | | | to better one's ability to assimilate new ideas. The |
| it does look good set in white and yellow metals, many | | | | famous Leonardo Da Vinci once wrote that Amethyst |
| of today's designers favour the Amethyst as the ideal | | | | Gemstones were able to dissipate evil thoughts and |
| Gemstone for use in Jewelry because of it's royal | | | | quicken the intelligence; the stone is also believed to |
| colouring and the sheer variety of shapes and sizes | | | | bring money and success to the wearer and to aid in |
| available to use. The stone is also very affordable and | | | | general healing after an illness or operation. |
| the wide tonal range from pale lavender to dark purple | | | | The ancient Greeks believed that wearing Amethyst |
| gives the designer a lot of scope to work with. Stones | | | | Jewelry would keep the effects of intoxication at bay, |
| from South America tends to be available in larger | | | | so strong were there beliefs that even drinking vessels |
| sizes than African Amethyst but the African offerings | | | | and amulets were made from this lovely jewel. |
| have a reputation for better, more saturated colours in | | | | It is possible to find Ametrine crystals, these are part |
| the smaller sizes. When Amethyst is heated it turns | | | | Amethyst and part Citrine and often contain a number |
| yellow and a lot of yellow Topaz and Citrine seen | | | | of inclusions where the colours change. Some |
| today comes from the use of this treatment, although | | | | examples of this Gemstone have been known to lose |
| Citrine is available naturally it is very rarely found. | | | | colour with continued exposure to sunlight but the |
| Fine examples of this lovely stone are featured in the | | | | original colouring can be restored by x-ray radiation. |
| British Crown Jewels and they were also a favourite | | | | Like all varieties of Quartz, Amethyst has a hardness |
| of Catherine the Great, as well as Egyptian royalty, it is | | | | of 7 on the Mohs scale so care should be taken when |
| believed that the tears of the gods had stained the | | | | wearing the stone. Above everything the Amethyst is |
| Quartz purple and created the Gemstone we know | | | | a beautiful Gemstone and blend this with the fact that |
| today. | | | | it is very popular with designers, means there is a lot of |
| Because Amethyst Gemstones were thought to | | | | variety in jewelry stores to tempt you to purchase this |
| encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, the stones | | | | very affordable Gemstone. |