The word “amethyst” comes from the Greek word amethystos, which means “a treatment against drunkenness,” a quality that has long been associated with the purple birthstone. Early Greek mythology connected the gem with Bacchus, the deity of wine, because of its wine-like tint. Additionally, amethyst was thought to maintain its wearer logical and astute in both combat and professional situations. It was believed by Renaissance Europeans to calm lovers overcome by passion.
The jewel that is customarily given at the sixth wedding anniversary is amethyst. You’ll be in regal company if you don it in honor of your wedding or as your birthstone for February. Empress Catherine II of Russia (17291796), known as Catherine the Great, loved the gemstone and adorned herself with amethyst necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry. Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (18961986), a well-known jewelry enthusiast, created a lasting impression in 1953 when she attended a gala in Versailles wearing a pricey amethyst bib necklace by Cartier.
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Amethyst purpleis it a birthstone?
The gemstone amethyst is the birthstone for February and the sixth and seventeenth wedding anniversaries. The Amethyst is a kind of quartz that is distinguished by its numerous purple hues, ranging from lilac to deep violet. It has a lengthy and enigmatic past.
What birthstone hue is light purple?
Amethyst. Crystalline quartz in shades ranging from light lilac to dark reddish purple is amethyst. Given that it has a hardness rating of 7, it is extremely scratch-resistant. The birthstone for February is a lovely diamond for any style of jewelry.
JanuaryGarnet
Garnet, the birthstone for January, is said to protect its owner when they are traveling. Because the gem resembles the color and shape of a pomegranate seed, the name “garnet” is derived from a term that means “seed.
FebruaryAmethyst
Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is thought to improve communication and offer the wearer bravery. Only royalty could wear the jewel in the past. The amethyst was believed to protect against intoxication by the ancient Greeks. Amethyst is really derived from the Greek word amethystos, which means “sober.”
MarchAquamarine, Bloodstone
Drinking the water the aquamarine, the birthstone for March, had been bathing in was said to cure stomach, liver, and heart ailments. Early sailors thought that aquamarine talismans bearing engravings of the sea god Neptune shielded them from the perils of the ocean.
The bloodstone, a dark green gemstone with scarlet flecks, is another birthstone for March.
AprilDiamond
The diamond, the birthstone for April, has long been associated with courage and is a symbol of unending love. The Sanskrit word for diamond is vajra, which also means lightning. In Hindu mythology, Indra, the king of the gods, used vajra as his weapon.
MayEmerald
Emerald, the birthstone for May, was a favorite jewel of Cleopatra’s. It has been linked to love, rebirth, and fertility for a very long time. This stone was even dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, by the ancient Romans. Emeralds are now considered to represent knowledge, development, and patience.
JunePearl
Pearl, the birthstone for June, has traditionally been associated with purity. The goddess of love Aphrodite was thought by the ancient Greeks to have created pearls out of her dried up tears of ecstasy.
JulyRuby
The ancient Hindus revered ruby, the birthstone for July, as the “king of stones.” It was thought to keep the wearer safe from evil. The intense red color of the ruby now stands for passion and love.
AugustPeridot
Peridot, the birthstone for August, represents fortitude. Due to its pale green hue, it is frequently referred to as the “evening emerald.” The green peridot crystals discovered in volcanic ashes were once thought to represent the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess. This diamond was thought to ward off nightmares when set in gold.
SeptemberSapphire
Sapphire, the birthstone for September, was long supposed to ward off evil and poisoning. It was thought that putting a poisonous snake in a sapphire container would cause it to die. The sapphire, which has historically been a favored stone of priests and rulers, stands both innocence and knowledge.
OctoberOpal
Opal, the birthstone for October, represents loyalty and assurance. The term is derived from the Latin word opalus, which means “precious jewel.” Opal-set necklaces were worn to ward off evil and preserve vision.
DecemberTurquoise
Turquoise, the birthstone for December, is viewed as a love charm. It is also a representation of luck and success, and wearing one is said to calm the mind and shield the person from harm. Particularly turquoise rings are said to ward off evil spirits.
Learn More
Do you know your natal flower now that you know your birthstone? See our page of flowers by birth month!
Enjoy our birthday facts, history, folklore, and other fun stuff on our birthdays page.
Purple birthstone for December?
Tanzanite. The rare blue-purple form of the mineral zoisite called tanzanite is only found in one region of the world. Tanzanite, so named because of its narrow geographic origin in Tanzania, has rapidly gained prominence since it was only recently discovered.
Amethyst is it rare?
Amethyst, along with diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald, was among the cardinal, or most valuable, gemstones until the 18th century. However, since the discovery of large deposits in places like Brazil, its value has largely decreased. Today, it is regarded as a semiprecious stone.
Collectors want for color depth, potentially with red flashes on traditionally cut pieces. Since amethyst is frequently found in huge structures, its value is not primarily determined by its carat weight. This is distinct from most gemstones because the value of a gemstone normally increases exponentially as the carat weight increases. The hue shown is the main determinant of amethyst value.
Amethyst of the highest quality, sometimes known as “Deep Russian,” is extremely uncommon. When one is discovered, its value is determined by collector demand. Even the most expensive rubies or sapphires are still hundreds of times more expensive than amethyst.
Is amethyst a valuable gemstone?
- The most popular and expensive gemstone in the quartz family is amethyst.
- In its finest form, amethyst is colorless and ranges in hue from violet to pale red-violet. The most expensive stones have homogeneous, rich, and cloudless tones.
- Dark, single-shaded amethyst in large slices is extremely rare.
- Amethyst has a peculiar structure that results in uneven hue in the stone, despite the gemstone’s weight and light refraction being comparable to those of other quartzes. Banding, or areas of light and dark color, is a typical occurrence.
What month has a purple birthstone?
The birthstone for February is amethyst, which stands for intelligence, temper, and love. Geodes are the most typical place to find quartz that is richly purple or light lavender. The stone has long been a favorite among religious leaders due to its alleged ability to curb excessive passion and desire as well as resist temptation. The amethyst has been devoted to both Bacchus, the Greek god of wine, and St. Valentine. The nymph Amethystos, who transformed into a stone to escape Bacchus’ pursuit, is the inspiration behind the name of the stone. According to Hildegard of Bingen, amethyst can alleviate tumors and relieve skin conditions. If wine was sipped from an amethyst cup, it was also thought that the amethyst would prevent intoxication.
What birthstone has the rarest stone?
While some birthstones are more accessible than others, precious gemstones in particular are thought to be relatively scarce. However, given that some really expensive stones are not all that rare and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.
Birthstones provide an intriguing way to select jewelry. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.
Do amethysts cost a lot?
Amethyst’s primary colors range from a mild pinkish violet to a deep purple. One or both of the secondary colorsred and bluecan be seen in amethyst. Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Siberia, and the far east are all places where you can get high-quality amethyst. The Rose de France brand has been used to sell the pale lavender or lilac color. Previously thought to be unattractive, these light colors have recently grown in acceptance thanks to aggressive marketing.
The deepest purple amethysts that may be found are sought after by many collectors. However, despite their high value, the darker purple stones lack the faint sparkle of the slightly lighter stones. Look for the medium to medium-dark tones for a stone that has more life.
Even at the higher grades, amethyst is incredibly cheap for a rock that was formerly valued as highly as sapphire. High-end cut stones typically cost $20 to $30 per carat, with really exquisite specimens costing around $40 per carat.
The majority of fine amethyst is highly clean, untreated, and available in big quantities. It is a fairly resilient stone that works well for various types of jewelry.
Amethyst appears in the Bible?
The quartz family of gems, which also includes citrine and prasiolite, is led by the gemstone amethyst. All the features of this mineral are beautifully displayed in the gem, which comes in a range of colors from delicate light pinks to deep dark purples. Amethyst continues to be one of the most popular gemstones on the market. It is renowned for having eye-clean clarity in many specimens and for being easily accessible in substantial carat weights. Let’s look at additional information about amethyst and its variants, which have a fascinating history and a variety of colors.
THE HISTORY OF AMETHYST
Amethyst has been used in simple jewelry since the Neolithic era (about 4,000 BC), and pieces of it set into gold rings have been discovered in burial sites dating back to around 2,400 BC.
Purple Quartz is known as amethyst, and some people think that the term comes from the Greek words “a” for “not” and “methustos” for “to intoxicate.” It was once believed that affluent lords who want to maintain their sobriety possessed drinking cups or goblets crafted of amethyst. While serving wine to their guests, they might give themselves water because the gem’s deep purple color would make the liquid appear to be wine, giving the lord the impression that he is having a drink. Along the same lines, it was once believed that adding crushed Amethyst to a person’s drink may prevent a drunk from becoming insane.
Greek mythology contains a storyline about the god of drunkenness Dionysus and a young, attractive woman named Amethystos who spurned his overtures. Amethystos was en route to worship the goddess Diana when Dionysus unleashed a pack of vicious tigers. Diana protected her from the approaching tigers by transforming her into a statue of flawless crystalline quartz before they got to her. He shed wine-colored tears as he was horrified by what he had almost done to Amethystos and humbled by her resolve. According to legend, his tears caused the colorless Quartz to become purple, resulting in Amethyst.
In the Old Testament, amethyst is referenced as one of the twelve stones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. It was also one of the twelve gems adorning the high priest Aaron’s breastplate (Exodus 39). Since the Middle Ages, Amethyst has been set into rings and worn by Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests of the Catholic Church because of its relationship with piety and chastity. The stone has been treasured by monarchs over the years in addition to being used by the Church, and numerous pieces can be found in the British Crown Jewels. Catherine the Great was rumored to have preferred amethyst.
Early in the 1800s, a bracelet worn by Queen Charlotte of England was valued at 200. A new discovery of amethyst reserves was made in Brazil shortly thereafter, though, which significantly decreased the value of the Queen’s bracelet. This serves as a good illustration of how supply and demand, much like the stock market, can affect the price of real gemstones. As mines finally run dry, prices have a tendency to rise; as new discoveries are discovered, prices for gemstones typically fall.
Due to its connection with St. Valentine, amethyst has a long and romantic history. Since the patron saint of romantic love was depicted wearing an amethyst ring with the figure of Cupid, the birthstone for the month of February is amethyst. Amethyst, according to Leonardo Da Vinci, sharpens intelligence and aids in banishing evil thoughts.
AMETHYST GEMSTONE INFORMATION
The designated gemstone for Wednesday is amethyst, which is also the birthstone for February. The designated gemstone for the sixth and seventeenth wedding anniversaries is also emerald. A trigonal crystal structure is present in the gem. Amethyst comes in a variety of hues, ranging from a pale, faintly lavender-pinkish tone to a deep purple that resembles the color of Cabernet Sauvignon. Amethyst can also be a little pleochroic, which means that depending on how the light strikes the gem, multiple hues of red and blue can be observed. The stone would be colorless without the iron particles that give it its color. The intensity of the hue depends on how much iron is present in each stone.
It was formerly as valuable as emerald, but Brazil’s massive mining operations, which have since reduced, let them to dominate the gemstone market in the 19th century. Due to its excellent clarity and distinctive natural deep purple body color, amethyst continues to be the most expensive and sought-after form of quartz. Amethyst of high quality can be found in Brazil, Zambia, and most recently, Morocco, where an exquisite and wholly unique variation was unearthed.
This stone forms over millions of years imbedded in its host rock in other regions and in hollow, crystal-lined geodes in Brazil. The deep “Siberian” purple that is reminiscent of the original source, which is now depleted, is the most desired shade for Amethyst’s body color. The two main hue groupings that make up the best amethyst specimens are deep purple with cold blue undertones and reddish-purple, also known as “raspberry” purple.
There are numerous methods for grading or naming gemstones because there is no one dominant organization or governing body in the field. For instance, many organizations in the jewelry sector refer to green quartz as green amethyst, while others call it vermarine, prasiolite, or amegreen. This is a very contentious issue in the gem industry, with some people holding the opinion that Amethyst should only be used to describe purple Quartz, while others assert that if a Quartz’s green color is the result of heat treatment, it should be called Green Amethyst, and still others assert that it should be called Green Quartz or Prasiolite. In addition to Namibia, the US state of Nevada, Zambia, and Tanzania, claims of natural Green Amethyst discoveries have also been made. Prasiolite has been reported to occur naturally in a small mine in Silesia, Poland.
Amethyst comes in a variety of tones, each with its own prefix. Even though historically they came from Siberia before the mines were exhausted, the term “Siberian Amethyst” refers to darker Amethyst that often has a tone of 75-80%. “Rose de France Amethyst” is the name given to amethyst that has a 2030% pinkish tone. Amethyst is a tough and resilient gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 7. The gem is good for cutting since it frequently forms lengthy prismatic crystals when it is in its raw state. It is typically cut into round brilliant forms since its color can frequently seem banded. This helps the gem reflect a more consistent color when viewed via the table or crown facets.
In Austria’s Maissau, one of the biggest amethyst mines in the world is remarkable in that it is accessible to the general public. If you’re up for a longer trip, the Amethyst mines in Brazil are among the best in the world. As long as you don’t mind a little bit of roughing it, you’ll have a terrific time meeting the local artisan miners.
AMETHYST CRYSTAL HEALING
Gemstones have existed for as long as recorded history, and in the years since their initial discovery, they have attracted a lot more admirers than just mineralogists and adoring collectors. Even if there is no proof that any of these traits are true, many have acquired stories about their lore, legends, and healing abilities. Nevertheless, it is intriguing to investigate the occult side of Mother Nature’s wonders. We should consider the question, “Does something have to be real if you truly believe it to be true? The response is false in terms of science, but what about in terms of a more intimate, spiritual level? Are you more likely to have that influence if you honestly believe that anything in your home is having an impact on you? It’s really not up to us to judge, but it’s a highly intriguing idea that merits more study. The following material is provided solely for your knowledge; once again, studies have never discovered any medicinal effects or characteristics in gemstones.
Some people view amethyst as a representation of serenity and modesty. Amethyst is said to have the ability to transform wrath into tranquility, and crystal healers utilize it to transform negative energy into positive energy. Its purported meditative and restorative properties have been related to its popularity. It is also believed to cleanse the mind, body, and soul while assisting in the chakras’ realignment. It is also connected to the Pisces zodiac sign.
HOW TO CLEAN AMETHYST
Due to the gem’s relative toughness, amethyst can be cleaned using a soft cloth or brush and warm, soapy water (a light dishwashing liquid will do). Keep in mind to clean the bottom of the stone because dirt trapped there will prevent some light from entering the stone and could cause it to appear duller than usual. Never clean Amethyst with harsh household products. You can always purchase specialized jewelry cleaning cloths to assist with cleaning your Amethyst jewelry, which is simple to do.