![]() Amethysts help keep negative energy away. Iron affects the stone's color intensity and manganese is the source of the color purple. The color variety is the result of the combination of iron and manganese. In terms of hardness, compared to a diamond, which is a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, amethysts register at a 7. In ancient times, amethyst was equal in value to precious emeralds and rubies.ĭespite its affordability, the quality of durability is something to behold. ![]() The Appeal of AmethystĪlthough February's birthstone is an exquisite form of purple quartz, its modern-day value doesn't compare to its previous worth. When it comes to acquiring one of these lovely gems, thankfully its accessibility makes it that much more appealing. Tourists frequently visit the mines and pay a fee to "mine" for amethysts. The United States has several prized mining locales in Arizona and South Carolina. By contrast, Mexico has much paler colored stones. Similar to Zambia, Australia also produces richly-saturated stones. They are among the most coveted of amethyst colors. Zambia has a reputation for harvesting the highest quality stones in the world. Russian royalty sought the stone because of its pristine look and value.Īlthough Africa produces smaller stones, they are a deeper, more intense purple color. The exquisite quality of Russian amethysts is still considered one of the best. Russia is a premiere area mined for amethysts. These geodes are often found in mines and in volcanic deposits. Some are so large, in fact, that you could stand inside of one of the geodes. South American amethysts are typically larger than other varieties of the semi-precious stone. Amethyst became more affordable - and accessible - after its massive 19th-century discovery in Brazil. Spanning the four corners of the globe, amethyst is found deposited deep in rock cavities and mined in caves throughout the world.īrazil is the top producing country of amethyst, with Uruguay a close second. If you're wondering where most of the amethyst jewelry comes from, it's probably closer than you realized. Amethyst beads are used in meditation practices. Amethyst also symbolized one of the 12 Tribes of Israel and adorned the breastplate of the high priest, Aaron.īuddhism: Tibetan Buddhists often linked the spiritual quality of amethysts with Buddha. ![]() Jews believed the gem caused powerful dreams. Judaism: the Hebrew word for amethyst, "ahlamah", translates to "dream stone". The deep purple color is believed to symbolize Christ's agony in the crucifixion. The holy men often wore rings made of amethyst to protect them on a daily basis.Ĭhristianity: The spiritual connotation of the semi-precious stone is often compared with Christ. Researchers discovered amulets were worn for both superstition and protection in the afterlife.Ĭatholicism: Bishops wore amethyst jewelry to protect them from the unholy effects of being drunk. Catherine the Great adored the purple stone and required the stone be used in all of her personal articles.Įgypt: The Egyptians made amethyst jewelry and amulets based on gemstone materials and meanings. Russia: The Russians also decorated the jewelry and crowns of their royalty with a plenty of amethyst jewelry. In fact, the British adorned the crowns of royal family members with radiant amethyst jewelry. The elegant drinking vessels represented the mystical power of the amethyst.īritain: Power, wealth, and royalty were often associated with the color purple. Rome: The Romans also believed they would be protected from drunkenness if they consumed wine in a cup festooned with amethysts. Whether it was a connection with spirituality, wine consumption, or royal lineage, amethysts have held their own in folklore, religion, and history. Many cultures throughout the world were drawn to the magic of this mesmerizing, mystical gem. While the Greeks believed in the healing qualities of amethysts, they weren't the only European country to do so. In fact, many cultures and religions around the world have viewed amethysts as one of the most sacred stones in all history. In fact, the origin of the meaning of amethyst stems from the Greek word "amethystos" which means "not intoxicating".īut it wasn't just the Greeks who tapped into the enchanting power of this majestic semi-precious stone. The Greeks believed the amethyst healing power to be a mighty sword, able to slay the dragon of wine consumption. People might have even considered you to be a wise sage for doing this. Imagine if wearing your favorite amethyst jewelry could reverse the effects of being intoxicated?īut, if you lived back in ancient times, then the simple act of wearing an amethyst pendant or ring was thought to do the trick. Click here to learn why you should wear amethyst jewelry to harness positive energies. Why You Should Wear Amethyst Jewelry Amethyst is a beautiful stone that pairs well with any wardrobe.
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