| Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone | | | | the yellow-brown citrine, white pearls, |
| frequently incorporated into some of the | | | | raw diamonds or light blue aquamarine. |
| most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry | | | | To see a selection of handmade artisan |
| in the world. It is most often found in | | | | jewelry featuring amethyst, click here. |
| shades of purple or red, and is | | | | Amethyst is typically considered a |
| considered both the February Birthstone | | | | sophisticated gemstone that works well |
| and the 6th Anniversary gemstone. But | | | | with any outfit. In earrings, it works |
| beyond its modern-day uses and | | | | especially well to enhance the glitter |
| associations, amethyst holds a decadent | | | | of brown or hazel eyes. |
| mythological, spiritual and etymological | | | | Amethyst was one of the first gemstones |
| history that adds nostalgic value to its | | | | to be used by man and is often found set |
| already strong aesthetic worth. Read on | | | | into religious jewelry, such as |
| for more information that will help you | | | | rosaries. The gem is considered sacred |
| fall in love with your amethyst jewelry | | | | to Buddha. Once largely mined in Russia, |
| - or inspire you to buy some today! | | | | Amethyst now mostly comes from Africa |
| Amethyst is a purple variety of the | | | | and South America. |
| quartz family whose name derives from | | | | Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 |
| the Greek word "amethustos," or "not to | | | | point scale where 10 is the most |
| intoxicate." According to Greek myth, | | | | resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is |
| Dionysus, the God of Intoxication, | | | | easily scratched, such as Talc. Like the |
| became infuriated by an insult and swore | | | | rest of the quartz family, amethyst gets |
| revenge on the next person to cross his | | | | a score of 7, meaning that it is fairly |
| path. Amethyst, a young maiden, was that | | | | scratch resistant and therefore suitable |
| person. When she saw the young girl in | | | | as a component of jewelry. Amethyst |
| trouble, Goddess Diana acted quickly to | | | | gemstones should be regularly cleaned by |
| save Amethyst, turning her into a statue | | | | a professional or with a soft rag and |
| of crystalline quartz. Dionysus saw the | | | | mild soap and water. Avoid ultrasonic |
| statue and became overwhelmed with | | | | cleaners, solvents and harsh chemicals |
| grief, spilling out remorseful tears of | | | | when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry |
| wine and thus staining the quartz the | | | | as exposure to these elements can damage |
| familiar purple color we see today. | | | | semi-precious and precious gemstones and |
| In the past and still today, Amethyst is | | | | pearls. |
| used to heal headaches, alleviate sugar | | | | Learn more about all semi-precious |
| imbalances and stabilize negative | | | | gemstones, including apatite, |
| influences. To many the stone encourages | | | | aquamarine, black onyx, blue topaz, |
| peace of mind by opening of the third | | | | carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, |
| "celestial" eye, located in the center | | | | white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, |
| of the forehead. | | | | garnet, iolite, jade, Labradorite, |
| Amethyst gemstones look best as parts of | | | | moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, |
| formal evening jewelry when paired with | | | | rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey |
| Black Onyx, black pearls or diamonds. | | | | topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and |
| More casual combinations include | | | | tourquoise when you check out this |
| contrasts such as purple amethyst with | | | | gemstone chart. |