Gemstone Spotlight: Amethyst

Introduction to Amethyst

Amethyst is a gem that is most associated with the color purple, and is one of the most popular gemstones of all time. It is the purple variety of Quartz found in various locations around the world, and it forms as transparent, terminated crystals of multiple sizes in geodes, clusters, and long single terminations. Whether its crystals are carefully polished as tumbled stones, cut into elegant jewels, or simply left natural, Amethyst is a gemstone with an allurement that far exceeds its commonality. Amethyst is produced due to the presence of manganese in clear Quartz, while additional amounts of iron cause the varying purple coloration and lavender/violet shade. Amethyst stones range in hue from pale red-violet to deep violet, which can be so light that it is barely perceptible or so dark that it is nearly opaque.

In today's classifications, Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone; however, in ancient times, it was a "gem of fire", a precious stone worth almost as much as a diamond, and as expensive as a ruby or an emerald. Their belief was that the meaning of the amethyst crystal was synonymous with luxury. That was until the 19th century, however, when Brazil's large deposits were discovered. This stone is found in many places such as Africa, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Russia, and the USA to name a few.

Amethyst is the birthstone for February, and known as the Zodiac stone for Pisces, from February 19th to March 20th. It's also linked to the element of 'wind', which is believed to activate the mind, and assist in clairvoyance and intuition. Purple Amethyst has been highly esteemed throughout the ages for its stunning beauty and legendary powers to stimulate, and soothe, the mind and emotions. It is the stone of St. Valentine and faithful love, and signifies ecclesiastical dignity as the Bishop’s Stone. It carries the energy of fire and passion, creativity and spirituality, yet bears the logic of temperance and sobriety.

 

 

Amethyst Healing Qualities and Uses

In today's day and age, Amethyst is still an extraordinary stone of spirituality and contentment, highly known for its metaphysical abilities to still the mind and inspire an enhanced meditative state. Its high frequency cleanses the aura of any negative energy or connections, and creates a protective shield of light around the body. This allows one to remain clear and centered while opening up to spiritual direction.

Amethyst has many healing powers to assist with physical ailments, emotional issues, and in energy healing and chakra balancing. Amethyst crystal therapies are primarily associated with physical maladies of the nervous system, the curing of nightmares and insomnia, and balancing the crown chakra.

Amethyst Physical Healing Properties

Amethyst not only boosts the production of hormones, it also stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and endocrine glands to optimum performance. It helps to support oxygenation in the blood, and aids in treatments of the digestive tract, heart, stomach, and skin. Amethyst also helps to build up the immune system while reducing bruising, pain and swellings. It has been known to be used with excellent results as an elixir in the treatment of arthritis, and is thought to relieve the symptoms of tinnitus and other hearing disorders. Amethyst is additionally beneficial in treating insomnia, especially when caused by an overactive mind. It is highly regarded as a stone that can calm and soothe the neural impulses in the brain, and its sweet energy alleviates the pain of headaches and migraines, while reducing stress and nervous tension. 

Amethyst Emotional Healing Properties

Amethyst stimulates the Third Eye, Crown and Etheric Chakras, intensifying cognitive perception as well as advancing the development of intuitive and psychic ability. It also triggers wisdom and greater understanding, and is a stone of comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Its presence communicates that there is no death, only transitioning and changing of forms. Amethyst encourages the release of sorrow, and rejoicing in a loved one’s spirit being freed from the confinement of the physical body.

Amethyst is notably supportive of the emotional body, helping to bring those who are overstressed, overwhelmed, or overworked back to center, and it is a great stone to calm those who tend to be hot-headed and easily angered. It also helps to identify the root causes behind one’s negative behaviors, and it eases the mental anxieties that lead to physical tension and headaches. Amethyst, sometimes called “the soul stone”, assists in understanding and connecting to the eternal existence of the soul and initiates one’s own deep soul experiences.

Amethyst Spiritual Properties

Amethyst is the most popular gem used as a chakra stone, particularly stimulating to the Third Eye, Crown, and Etheric chakras. It is very well known as a stone of spiritual protection and purification, with the capability to cleanse one’s energy field of negative influences and attachments, and produce a resonant shield of spiritual light around the body and aura. This is the reason many choose to meditate with amethyst to rid themselves of that  darkness. Amethyst is one of the most ideal stones for meditation that seeks to discover the reason for certain behaviors or actions, both on the part of oneself, or another, whether you are looking to meditate for relaxation, abundance, protection or communication. Amethyst energy encourages the mind to be humble and surrender to that which is greater than itself in order to gain some understanding of how the powers of the universe can direct and guide one’s life. 

Amethyst Uses in Jewelry

Amethysts have been set in religious jewelry and royal crown jewels for as long as anyone can remember. It’s no wonder that fine amethyst is seen worn on the fingers of bishops and British royalty. Today Amethyst is available in all size ranges for setting into a variety of jewelry styles, and is sold by the carat.

Amethyst is a gem with a Mohs hardness of 7, making it durable and strong enough for use in rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and other types of jewelry. Even fine amethyst has a modest price tag. Large gems still remain affordable because price per carat does not rise dramatically with larger size, as it does with other gems. This is due partly to enormous deposits of amethyst in South America and Africa providing enough material to keep amethyst’s price low enough that most people can easily afford it, making it one of the most popular gems today.

As mentioned, Amethyst exists in a wide range of colors, and can be reddish purple, purple, or violetish purple. Today much of the light amethyst is used to cut small calibrated stones for use in mass-market jewelry. Most of the premium reddish purple color amethyst is being used in high-end or designer jewelry. However, the color of some amethyst can be subject to fading by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or bright display lights. Long-term storage of amethyst and amethyst jewelry is best done in a jewelry box or other dark location. 

Although amethyst is a durable stone, some care is needed to maintain its polish and natural color. Accidental scratches on hard objects, or scrapes with other gemstones of equal or greater hardness, in a jewelry box can cause some damage. Amethyst is also considered a brittle material that may be chipped or scratched by high impact. Some believe that it's best not to wear amethyst jewelry during an activity or at a location where this might occur.

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Overview

Amethyst is the purple color variety of Quartz, and is the most popular purple gem and one of the most popular gemstones of all time. The presence of manganese in clear Quartz produces Amethyst, while additional amounts of iron vary the purple coloration. Amethyst ranges in hue from pale red-violet to deep violet, and may be transparent or opaque. It is used to produce faceted stones, cabochons, beads, tumbled stones, and many other items for jewelry, metaphysics, and decor. 

Today, Amethyst is the most valued quartz variety, and remains in demand for designer pieces as well as mass-market jewelry, and its purple to pastel hues retain wide consumer appeal. With a combination of attractive colors, strong durability, and affordability, it's no speculation that amethyst is a favorite gemstone of jewelers, craftsmen, artisans and consumers alike.

The healing properties of Amethyst are as ample as the stone itself, with abilities to help with physical ailments, emotional issues, and in energy healing and chakra balancing. It is mainly seen as a protective stone and is linked to the crown chakra, beneficial in cleansing the mind and clearing it of any negative thoughts, which includes the negativity of stress and anxiety. Because the stone is also associated with abundance, Amethyst healing properties are especially useful in regards to stress related to work; therefore relieving stress while exuding prosperity.

Purple Amethyst has been highly esteemed throughout the years for its stunning beauty and fabled metaphysical powers to stimulate, and soothe, the mind and emotions. It is the regarded as the stone of St. Valentine and faithful love, and signifies dignity as the Bishop’s Stone. It also holds the energy of fire and passion as well as creativity and spirituality, yet bears the logic of temperance and sobriety.