Amethyst – a gemstone with a long history
The gemstone amethyst has been around for a long time. It has a long history as a precious stone: it was used for jewelry and carved into ornaments in ancient societies, including those of the Mesopotamians and Egyptians.
Amethyst – according to legend, it protects against drunkenness
The name of this gemstone comes from the Greek word “amethustos”, which means “not drunk”. The name refers to the belief that the stone protects against drunkenness.
According to Greek mythology, amethyst was created by Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. He tried to kill a young woman named Amethyst. The goddess Diana intervened and transformed the woman into white quartz. Dionysus spilled his wine goblet over the quartz, turning it purple.
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the stone could ward off the intoxicating effects of wine. In addition, the gemstone was thought to ensure that its wearer remained clear-minded and quick-witted.
For a long time it was considered the most precious of gems
The amethyst was long considered one of the most precious gemstones. It was the gemstone of royalty and the clergy. In the early Christian church, the amethyst ring was one of the insignia of a bishop. Even today, gemstone cutters describe the highest quality grade of amethyst as “bishop's grade”.
With the discovery of large amethyst deposits, even less wealthy people could afford an amethyst. This gemstone is still valued today for its symbolism and purple color.
A purple gemstone
Amethysts are usually purple. The shades range from light lilac to dark violet. Pale pinkish violet and reddish violet also occur. Color zoning can also occur in amethysts, meaning that one and the same rough stone displays several color variations.
The most valuable amethysts are those in deep, rich violet or purple, with a reddish shimmer. This coloration is caused by traces of iron and natural radiation. In general, amethysts are considered affordable gemstones, with a carat price of around 10 to 50 euros. Particularly beautiful specimens of high quality can cost more. The quality of a gemstone is always determined based on the 4 C's: carat (size), clarity (purity), cut (cut) and color (color).
Amethyst can be found all over the world
This purple gemstone can be found almost everywhere in the world. It is often found in geodes or in the cavities of granite. Its crystals can be small pyramids, like those from Brazil and Uruguay. But they can also be in the form of slender prisms, like the amethysts from Mexico.
The amethysts that are available for purchase are mainly from Uruguay, Brazil, Siberia and North America.
Amethysts for jewelry and jewelry gifts
The amethyst is a popular gemstone, mainly because of its purple color. If you buy an amethyst from the Igneous gemstone shop, you can use it to make individual pieces of jewelry.
Amethysts can be used for rings, bracelets or necklaces. If you find two similar stones, you can also have them made into earrings.
The purple gemstones are often framed by small diamonds to accentuate the color. Combinations with other colored gemstones are rarer. Silver or white gold are particularly suitable for the setting. Depending on your preference, amethysts can also be set in yellow or red gold.
According to the American Gem Society, the amethyst is the birthstone of the month of February. It is therefore often given as a gift to those born in February. Amethyst is also considered a suitable gift for the sixth and 17th wedding anniversaries.
Characteristics: Amethyst is a durable quartz
Amethyst consists of quartz. Quartz is a very common material. Amethyst gets its color from trace elements, irradiation or iron impurities.
It has a hardness of 7 on the ten-point Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it a durable stone that is ideal for use in jewelry.
Brazilian and Uruguayan amethysts are sometimes heat-treated to change the color. This turns the amethyst into a yellow-brown citrine.
Most common cuts
Amethysts are usually faceted or cut into smooth cabochons. Faceted amethysts are mainly found in round or oval brilliant cuts or with a step cut. In addition to round and square shapes, teardrop-shaped amethysts are also popular.
