Amethyst

Amethyst

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Genera and Scientific Gemstone Details

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewelry. The name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀ a- ("not") and μέθυστος methustos ("intoxicated"), 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. It is one of several forms of quartz. Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February.

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz (SiO2) and owes its violet color to irradiation, iron impurities (in some cases in conjunction with transition element impurities), and the presence of trace elements, which result in complex crystal lattice substitutions. The hardness of the mineral is the same as quartz, thus it is suitable for use in jewelry

Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians and was largely employed in antiquity for intaglio engraved gems.

The Greeks believed amethyst gems could prevent intoxication while medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that amethysts heal people and keep them cool-headed. Beads of amethyst were found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England.

A large geode, or "amethyst-grotto", from near Santa Cruz in southern Brazil was presented at the 1902 exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany.

In the 19th 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 has been suggested, and sulfur was said to have been detected in the mineral.

Amethyst is produced in abundance from the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil where it occurs in large geodes within volcanic rocks. Many of the hollow agates of southwestern Brazil and Uruguay contain a crop of amethyst

rystals in the interior. Artigas, Uruguay and neighboring Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul are large world producers exceeding in quantity Minas Gerais, as well as Mato Grosso, Espirito Santo, Bahia, and Ceará states, all amethyst producers of importance in Brazil.

It is also found and mined in South Korea. The largest opencast amethyst vein in the world is in Maissau, Lower Austria. 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 south India yield amethyst. One of the largest global amethyst producers is Zambia in southern Africa with an annual production of about 1000 tonnes.

Amethyst occurs at many localities in the United States.[11] Among these may be mentioned: the Mazatzal Mountain region in Gila and Maricopa Counties, Arizona; Red Feather Lakes, near Ft Collins, Colorado; Amethyst Mountain, Texas; Yellowstone National Park; Delaware County, Pennsylvania; Haywood County, North Carolina; Deer Hill and Stow, Maine and in the Lake Superior region of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario in Canada. Amethyst is relatively common in Ontario, and in various locations throughout Nova Scotia. The largest amethyst mine in North America is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Mystical Magical and Healing Properties:

Stone of "Spirituality and Contentment" Amethysts have a soothing and relaxing effect on people, they promote healthy sleep habits when placed on the body or under the pillow.

Amethyst promotes shrewdness in business matters, gives victory and quickens the mind to help control negative thoughts.

Because the stone has trans -mutational energies, it helps to open gateways into intense and transforming spiritual experiences, and can protect the wearer from black magic. Known as a change stone, amethyst can bring about any type of change in your life and consciousness. It also breaks up old emotional thought processes and assists psychic opening in a grounding manner.

An amethyst crystal is nearly indispensable to healers. Single crystals are very beneficial but clusters are even more powerful. Powerful enough in fact that a cluster of amethyst can cleanse other stones.

When worn, amethyst will alleviate migraines. Headaches caused by nerves will subside when a amethyst cross section or geode is placed in the room. It is also used to help improve concentration. Amethyst calms mental disorders, purifies the blood, strengthens the immune system as well as balancing and healing all chakras.

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People who regularly wear an amethyst necklaces are said to fascinate others with their personality and charisma.

An amethyst crystal is nearly indispensable to healers. Single crystals are very beneficial but clusters are even more powerful. Powerful enough in fact that a cluster of amethyst can cleanse other stones.

When worn, amethyst will alleviate migraines. Headaches caused by nerves will subside when a amethyst cross section or geode is placed in the room. It is also used to help improve concentration. Amethyst calms mental disorders, purifies the blood, strengthens the immune system as well as balancing and healing all chakras.

People who regularly wear amethyst necklaces are said to fascinate others with their personality and charisma.

Associations: Jupiter, Neptune

Traditional Birthstone for the Month of February.

Stone of Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius and Capricorn.

Amethyst brings clarity to the conscious and unconscious mind.

Information Sources:

The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall, 2003

Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith, PhD, 2000

Crystal Enchantments by D.J. Conway, 1999

Smithsonian Handbooks Gemstones by Cally Hall, 1994

Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham, 2002

Chakra Healing & Karmic Awareness by Keith Sherwood, 2005

The Illustrated Directory of Crystal Healing by Cassandra Eason, 2003

Healing Crystals and Gemstones by Dr. Flora Peschek-Bohmer, Gisela Schrieber, 2002

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia