Amethyst

For other uses, see Amethyst (disambiguation).

Amethyst (SiO₂) is a violet or purple variety of quartz often used as an ornament. The name comes from the Greek a (not) and methuskein ("to intoxicate"), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness; the ancient Greeks and Romans wore amethyst and made drinking vessels of it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication.

A bed of amethyst crystals on base rock, 13cm (5in) long

Chemistry

In the 20th century, the color of amethyst was attributed to the presence of manganese. However, since it is capable of being greatly altered and even discharged by heat, the color was believed by some authorities to be from an organic source. Ferric thiocyanate was suggested, and sulfur was said to have been detected in the mineral.

On exposure to heat, amethyst generally becomes yellow, and much of the citrine, cairngorm, or yellow quartz of jewelry is said to be merely "burnt amethyst". Veins of amethystine quartz are apt to lose their color on the exposed outcrop.

Composition

Amethyst is composed of an irregular superposition of alternate lamellae of right-handed and left-handed quartz. It has been shown that this structure may be due to mechanical stresses. As a consequence of this composite formation, amethyst is apt to break with a rippled fracture, or to show "thumb markings", and the intersection of two sets of curved ripples may produce on the fractured surface a pattern something like that of "engine turning". Some mineralogists, following Sir David Brewster, apply the name of amethyst to all quartz which exhibits this structure, regardless of color.

History

File:Amethyst Berlin.jpg

Amethyst close-up

Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians and was largely employed in antiquity for intaglios. Beads of amethyst are found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. It is a widely distributed mineral, but fine, clear specimens that are suitable for cutting as ornamental stones are confined to comparatively few localities. Such crystals occur either in the cavities of mineral-veins and in granitic rocks, or as a lining in agate geodes. A huge geode, or "amethyst-grotto", from near Santa Cruz in southern Brazil was exhibited at the Düsseldorf Exhibition of 1902. Many of the hollow agates of Brazil and Uruguay contain a crop of amethyst crystals in the interior. Much fine amethyst comes from Russia, especially from near Mursinka in the Ekaterinburg district, where it occurs in drusy cavities in granitic rocks. Many localities in India yield amethyst; and it is found also in Sri Lanka, chiefly as pebbles.

Alternate terminology

6 carat (1.2 g) pear shape amethyst ring

Due to its popularity as a gemstone, several descriptive terms have been coined in the gem trade to describe the varying colors of amethyst. "Rose de France" is usually a pale pinkish lavender or lilac shade (usually the least sought color). The most prized color is an intense violet with red flashes and is called "Siberian", although gems of this color may occur from several locations other than Siberia, notably Uruguay and Zambia. In more recent times, certain gems (usually of Bolivian origin) that have shown alternate bands of amethyst purple with citrine orange have been given the name ametrine.

Purple corundum, or sapphire of amethystine tint, is called Oriental amethyst, but this expression is often applied by jewellers to fine examples of the ordinary amethystine quartz, even when not derived from eastern sources. Professional gemological associations, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gemological Society (AGS), discourage the use of the term "Oriental amethyst" to describe any gem, as it may be misleading.

Geographic distribution

Amethyst occurs at many localities in the United States, but these specimens are rarely fine enough for use in jewelry. Among these may be mentioned Amethyst Mountain, Texas; Yellowstone National Park; Delaware County, Pennsylvania; Haywood County, North Carolina; and Deer Hill, and Stow, Maine. It is found also in the Lake Superior district. Amethyst is relatively common in northwestern Ontario, but uncommon elsewhere in Canada; it was selected as the provincial mineral of Ontario in 1975.

Value

Traditionally included in the cardinal, or most valuable, gemstones (along with diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald), amethyst has lost much of its value due to the discovery of extensive deposits in locations such as Brazil.

Amethyst in folklore and astrology

Amethyst is the birthstone associated with February. It is also associated with the constellations of Pisces, Aries (especially the violet and purple variety), Aquarius, and Sagittarius. It is a symbol of heavenly understanding, and of the pioneer in thought and action on the philosophical, religious, spiritual and material planes. Ranking members of the Catholic Church traditionally wear rings set with a large amethyst as part of their office.

The Greek word "amethystos" basically can be translated as "not drunken." Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it. Supposedly, when a drunken Dionysus was pursuing a maiden called Amethystos, who refused his affections, she prayed to the gods to remain chaste. The goddesss Artemis granted the prayer, transforming her into a white stone; humbled by Amethystos' desire to remain chaste, Dionysus poured wine over the stone she had become as an offering, dying the crystals purple.

Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts and increase the intelligence. It was also believed to encourage celibacy and rings made of amethyst are often worn by bishops. Similarly, Tibetan Buddhists believe the crystal to be sacred to the Buddha and use amethyst in rosaries.

Healing Properties

Mental Healing - Amethyst as a healing stone contains sobering and calming qualities which allow this stone to be commonly associated with peace. Amethyst is known to calm and protect the mind. It soothes those who have engaged in constant rigorous mental activity. It has been deemed "nature's tranquilizer" by many healers because of it's effectiveness in relaxing not only the mind but also the nervous system. Those who wear amethyst jewelry and who have been recommended to wear this stone for healing purposes have done so because of its tranquil qualities and it's ability reduce negativity and alleviate anxiety.

Besides being a stone of tranquility and repose, amethyst is also known to enhance mental strength, stability, and vigor. It also is protective in averting the mind from psychic attacks and transforming negative energy in to that of positive and tranquil tenacity. It is also used to bring understanding of all that is transitional, especially death and rebirth. It can provide security and peace of mind (along with understanding) when a loved one is lost or reborn. It is said to also have a relieving effect on stress, grief, depression, emotional despair and ineffective communication.

Amethyst and the Chakras - Amethyst has identified as a crystal that functions favorably in clearing certain types of blockage and in aligning the Chakras. By transforming energies on all levels amethyst also has the ability to balance and stabilize energies located within certain Chakra areas. Amethyst is related to and found to heal and align ailments of the the 6th and 7th Chakras, which are the Third Eye or Brow (6th) and the Crown (7th).

Amethyst aides the 6th Chakra, Third Eye, by opening and heighten awareness, both spiritual and psychic. Its calming qualities help to awaken and ease stress in this area. It helps to also heighten perspective and allows development of strong introspection (inner-self view). Amethyst is used to also increase intuition and psychic development. The Third Eye is the energy center for all levels of consciousness for which amethyst aides the in the transition from a normal state of consciousness to a deeper awareness.

The 7th Chakra, or the Crown controls the energies used in any mental activity. Amethyst helps to relieve strain or tension in this area. It is considered a helpful aide in meditation and in the facilitation of psychic visual enhancement. It is used on the Crown to allow past life recall to emerge. It's tranquil sobering effect allows those who are energetic to relax. It also is a cure for insomnia and nightmares and makes the intuition sensitive to understanding that outside of scientific reasoning.

Physical Healing - Along with the many mental benefits of amethyst healing, there are also many physical afflictions for which the healing powers of amethyst are a remedy. As an elixir (solution as a medicinal substance) amethyst can be used to treat toothaches, skeletal discomforts, posture and other bone and joint-related sicknesses (like arthritis). In elixir form amethyst also cures problems within the stomach and digestive tract, the heart and hearing disorders. It has been known to treat various types of blood disease and balancing blood sugar. Amethyst as a healing stone or crystal is used to treat and heal problems involving the central nervous system. Amethyst is a treatment for both convulsions and neuralgia.

See also

• List of minerals

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

• "Amethyst". part of a poster by the Juneau – John Rishel Mineral Information Center. Alaska office of the United States Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2006-09-11.
• Ure, Andrew (1827). A Dictionary of Chemistry. Printed for Thomas Tegg, (et al.). p. 141. Retrieved 2006-09-11. The amethyst is a gem of a violet colour, and great brilliancy, said to be as hard as the ruby or sapphire, from which it only differs in colour. This is called the oriental amethyst, and is very rare. When it inclines to the purple or rosy colour, it is more esteemed than when it is nearer to the blue. These amethysts have the same figure, hardness, specific gravity, and other qualities, as the best sapphires or rubies, and come from the same places, particularly from Persia, Arabia, Armenia and the West Indies. The occidental amethysts are merely coloured crystal or quartz.