Amethyst: Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone
- Sylvia Rose
- Nov 16, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 14
One of the crystals known since ancient times, amethyst holds it own characteristics, magic and myth. Purple is hard to get ancient times, thus a desirable color for the flaunting of wealth.
Amethyst gem is clear quartz rock crystal with inclusions of iron or other material, causing absorption of yellow or green light. Purple, a mix of blue and red, is the reflected light the human eye beholds.
Coloring can vary from pale to deep and intense, ranging from pinkish purple and purple blues to deep violet. This stunning stone relates to divinity and the divine connection.
In spirituality it cleanses sources of blocked chakra energy and aids the flow of beneficial elements in spiritual or physical life. Amethyst is used in meditation to rise above mortal worries and achieve enlightenment.
Use of amethyst is first recorded among the Egyptians, as a precious gem. It's found in royal tombs. An ancient amethyst mine is Wadi el-Hudi, a river valley in the south of Egypt, which can still be seen today.
The name amethyst comes from the Greek meaning to "not intoxicate". Ancient Greeks and Romans believe amethyst protects its owner from drunkenness, and maintains clarity of thought.
Amethyst is associated with Dionysus, Greek god of wine, theater and madness. Dionysus is equated with Roman Bacchus, fertility and wine god, in whose honor the Bacchanalia are held. Bacchanale, an orgiastic type of music, is named for this celebration.
Amethyst brooches, rings and beads are popular among the wealthy. Stone carvers show off their skills, resulting in beautiful work of the period. Like its mother stone quartz, amethyst is a crystalline gem and hard to carve due to breakage.
Going into battle the Romans wear or carry amethyst to keep the senses clear and maintain a calm state of mind. For those who clean up the battlefield after the main event, these little treasures are worth a fortune.
In the Bronze Age amethyst is traded along the Amber Roads, the first trade routes of Europe. The main Amber Road is already in operation in the Early Bronze age and was used for many hundreds of years.
Amber is only one of the countless items traded on the early Baltic routes, but it's the reason the routes (still) exist. Both carved and faceted items of amethyst command royal prices.
Amethyst is a general protector against danger and dangerous situations. It's said to protect against burglars, robbers and thieves.
In keeping with the belief amethyst protects against drunkenness, artisans carve drinking vessels from the stone. The gemstone is highly valued and crafters are quick to take advantage of demand.
Amethyst is used in jewelry, spirituality and as an item of trade. It's the birthstone of February. In Tibet, it's considered the gemstone of the Buddha.
Until the 18th century, amethyst is one of the five cardinal, or most valuable, gemstones. Diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald make up the rest of the group.
In Roman times an amethyst amulet is worth a month of wages, or the price of a slave. In the 1700s new amethyst deposits were discovered in South America, and the gem goes from precious to semi-precious.
Deep purple amethyst may show red or blue tones in the crystals. Again this is due to variations of reflected light. Although amethyst is not as valuable as once it was, the attraction of this gemstone is undeniable.
Purple is a color of leaders and kings. In spirituality it represents magic of the night, clarity and personal charisma or allure. Purple amethyst boosts self-confidence and inner strength.
When exposed to high temperatures amethyst can change from purple of shades of yellow resembling citrine. Heat alters the chemical compostion of amethyst. Placing the stone in bright sunlight might cause the color to fade altogether.
Alternately, amethyst colors can be artificially lightened or darkened. If only part of the stone is exposed to heat, the result is ametrine, combination of purple amethyst with areas of gold, yellow or orange.
Collectors value natural crystal and colors. Size is not especially important since many stones carry large geodes. Amethyst is one of the stones, along with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, which can be artificially created.
Amethyst also occurs more rarely in pink. A lavender variety, Rose de France, has gained popularity due to intensive marketing practices.
Amethyst of natural source with deep, vivid violet and purple colors is most desired by collectors. In magic, natural amethyst is recommended in shades from lavender to deep purples depending on purpose.
The deeper the purple, the stronger the passion. Paler purples are conducive to harmony. In Victorian times a woman with loose morals is a purple harlot. A wealthy person is said to be 'in the purple'.
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