| Deep royal purple, amethyst is the birthstone for | | | | made in Russia and Japan. If you see a stone |
| February. It's also the 6th wedding anniversary stone. If | | | | advertised as "Japanese Amethyst", it is most likely |
| you're a February baby, you have as your birthstone | | | | synthetic. When heat treated, some amethyst is |
| one of the most beautiful examples of crystallized | | | | lightened in color and is transformed into yellow citrine. |
| quartz, a description that somehow doesn't have the | | | | Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient |
| same allure as the name Amethyst! | | | | Egyptians. The Greeks believed amethyst gems could |
| The deep purple color was considered rare and royal, | | | | prevent intoxication, while medieval European soldiers |
| and the kings and queens of Europe often had | | | | wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle. Beads |
| amethysts embellishing their clothing, and wore beautiful | | | | of amethyst have been found in Anglo-Saxon graves |
| amethyst jewelry. | | | | in England. |
| Supernatural powers have been attributed to | | | | Don't wear your amethyst jewelry to the beach, or the |
| amethyst over the ages - supposedly it could prevent | | | | color may fade after long exposure to sunlight. Sudden |
| drunkenness and protect people from contagious | | | | temperature changes can cause cleaving or fracturing. |
| diseases. Rock crystal spheres have been used to | | | | The deep purple color of amethyst looks lovely |
| foretell the future, and quartz crystals do have a rather | | | | whether set in silver or gold. Amethyst pairs beautifully |
| magical property: when electric current is run through a | | | | with diamonds, whether in earrings, a bracelet, ring, |
| piece of quartz, the crystal will vibrate at a single | | | | necklace or brooch. As with any fine gem stone, keep |
| constant rate. That's why you see the word "quartz" | | | | your amethyst jewelry clean, store it properly, and |
| on your watch. | | | | keep it away from direct sunlight. |
| The most expensive amethyst is the darkest intense, | | | | You don't have to have a February birthday to enjoy |
| evenly colored purple, and the least costly is the pale | | | | amethysts. The shades of purple are flattering to any |
| lavender. Major sources of amethyst are Brazil, | | | | skin tone or hair color, and wearing amethyst jewelry |
| Uruguay, Bolivia and Zambia. Synthetic amethyst is | | | | will make you feel like royalty! |