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