Amethyst

TECHNICAL DETAILS

• Generally a rich, regal purple but can also have a paler lilac tone or something close to pink in Rose De France Amethyst. Its light sage green sister is called Prasiolite.

• Ranks 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. 

• Widley mined in Brazil and Uruguay, among others. 

• Composed of quartz, and generally rock crystal in its purest form. The iron content in it creates the purple colour, or yellow in the case of citrine (amethyst formed closer to the earth’s core where it is hotter).

PHYSICAL BENEFITS 

• The iron is said to make is essential in fighting disease – it strengthens the muscles, enriches the blood, and increases resistance to infection. 

• Some say it aids insomnia if stored under the pillow.

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS 

• Known as “the elevator” for the way it purifies and lifts.

• Ideal for meditation, it also stimulates intuition and inspiration.

• A stone for calming, it is said to calm passion and encourage chastity 

ANECDOTES… 

• Seen as the stone of God – bishop’s rings often contain an amethyst

• One of few stones that doesn’t show fire, so it’s associated with mourning 

• Said to prevent drunkenness – the ancient romans used to mount it in their goblets for their lengthy feasts – amethyo is the Greek for “not drunken”

• Amethyo was also a female nymph, in love with Bacchus the God of Wine. She was dumped in favour of Diana, the goddess of chastity, which is why it’s believed that it quells passion