You should avoid the use of abrasives when cleaning Amethyst. It has a Mohrs hardness of 7, so it can be scratched by common sharp objects. There is even a form of green amethyst that occurs in rare conditions unusally involving heat or vulcanism.Īmethyst is a durable gemstone, but some care is needed to maintain its polish and natural color. "Siberian" deep purple amethyst with red and blue flashes commands the highest prices. The deep colors are the most valuable, particularly a rich purple with rose flashes. The colors range from light purple to deep violet to pale red-violet (pink amethyst). They are collectors items from in homes, commercial spaces, and civic centers such as museums and events centers throughout the world.Īmethyst gets its color from iron and aluminum impurities inside the underlying quartz structure. Smaller cavities, known as geodes, are often opened in a way that displays the crystals inside and then fitted with a base that allows them to be used as home or office decor. Large cavities often contain hundreds of pounds to several tons of amethyst crystals. In Brazil and Uruguay large amounts of amethyst are found in the cavities of basalt flows. The world’s largest amethyst deposits are usually found in the fractures and cavities of igneous rocks. The darker Amethyst, more often in smaller sizes is also found in Australia. Generally, larger sizes are to be found in South America although Africa is reputed to have the more sought after deeper color in smaller sizes. This practice is frowned upon, yet happens still.Īmethyst is mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as in several African countries. It is also possible to heat the stone to a lovely shade of green, which is called “green amethyst”. There have been gem dealers known to artificially heat the Amethyst causing it to turn yellow in full or in part then selling the altered stone as Ametrine or Citrine. This is a natural and authentic nature made stone found only a few locations. When heated by nature the crystal that is a portion Citrine and a portion amethyst is known as Ametrine. The actual crystal hold the properties for Citrine well. The deeper colors are generally more valuable, and at one time were more valuable than diamonds. As Amethyst it ranges in color from pink lilac to deep purple. It was thought to protect against not only injury or death, but also to repel or control evil spirits.Īmethyst is a purple variety of quartz mined at many locations throughout the world. Amethyst became extremely popular in the mid fifteenth centuries as an amulet often worn by soldiers. The stone was said to attract a favorable outcome and a positive outlook. It has long been believed to grant a deeper understanding of the hidden knowledge of the universe.Īt one time in China, pieces of Amethyst were often rented to those involved in legal lawsuits. The Chaldean Magi believed that Amethyst was a powerful stone that protected against evil sorcery as well as bringing success and good luck to the bearer. It is also the stone of Buddha and is quite popular to use for Buddhist prayer beads, more prominently in Tibet. Within the Christian church, especially the Roman Catholic church, it was known as a gem of purity and associated with Bishops who traditionally wear them set in rings. In the Egyptian Book of the Dead, there are instructions given for placing heart shaped Amethyst on the body of the deceased the specific shape said to help transition with peace to the next realm. So whether is was 3000 years ago or today, people around the world though Amethyst was a very special stone.Īmethyst has quite a long history with many religious practices. Napoleon captured the Amethyst best of Roman Emperor Trajan in Berlin during his conquest. The Russian Empress Catherine the Great sent thousands of miners into the Urals to look for it. The ancient Chinese often stored spices, balms and healing ointments in carved amethyst bottles. Many also thought that only the very highly spiritual and moral were worthy of wearing amethyst. Throughout many Christian sects, amethyst rings were traditionally worn as a sign of rank and many of the clergy believed that amethyst helped to bring the faithful to God. Sumerians and Babylonians as well as the Egyptians were said to wear amethyst amulets for protection. It has been said that Moses said that amethyst was a symbol of the Spirit of God and it was listed as one of the twelve gemstones in the High Priest’s breastplate where it representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This is why the color purple has been associated with royal society throughout the ages. Amethyst has been a jewel coveted by spiritual leaders and royalty for thousands of years.
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