Ever wondered about the history of amethyst and what brought this fascinating gemstone in the world of jewelry? This blog is your chance to discover it all! From the historical archives to learning about the different types of amethyst, feed your love for gemstones with a little bit of amethyst.
The Christian church considered amethyst in high regard and referred to it as “the stone of bishops.” The amethyst is listed in the Bible as the 12th foundation of the Holy City. Regardless of the reality, amethysts have been used by a wide range of societies and civilizations.
When you look into the history of amethyst, it is said that a Scarab beetle-shaped amethyst bracelet was discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb and amethyst amulets and jewelry pieces dating back to 3000 BCE have been discovered in Egypt. In more recent history, Medieval European warriors wore amethyst jewels to help keep them clear-headed and safe during battle.
Amethyst was chosen as the crown jewels’ centerpiece in 1660 upon the restoration of the monarchy by Charles II of England.
The gemstone can be used to turn negative vibrations into positive ones by Chinese Feng Shui practitioners, while Buddhists have used amethyst prayer beads as a sacred stone offering to Buddha.
Early Greek stories associated amethyst with Dionysus, the deity of wine and pleasure, because of its wine-like tint. During the Middle Ages, amethysts were used to ornament English regalia to represent royalty.
It is believed that Saint Valentine wore an amethyst ring with an image of Cupid etched on it. Amethyst was one of the twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament.
From the Historical Archives
- The name amethyst is derived from the ancient Hellenistic Greek: Amethystos, which means “a-” not and “-methysko,” which means “intoxicate.” Ancient Greek and Roman societies believed that amethyst could protect from drunkenness, with the ancient Greeks even fashioning drinking vessels and wearing amethyst jewelry.
- Amethyst crystals occur in geodes or hollow rocks as long, prismatic crystals. These geodes form when cavities in volcanic rock formations. Mineral-saturated water, gases and volcanic debris distill and crystallize as the rock cools. Amethyst is created when these crystals harden. Although the stone usually is a deeper purple, it can sometimes have a reddish-purple tinge or a very mild purple tinge that fades into lavender.
- It is known that natural amethyst has been worn for at least 2000 years, although synthetic amethyst is much newer and less prevalent.
- Amethyst, a member of the quartz family distinguished by its characteristic purple color, has a Mohs hardness of seven. As a result, amethyst gems are incredibly durable, making them excellent for all types of jewelry. Amethyst is frequently used as earrings, pendants, bracelets and rings and it is also sliced to make bracelet cuffs or beads.
Amethyst Varieties Found in History
There are six types of amethysts, namely, purple amethyst, cape amethyst, pink amethyst, mossy amethyst, ametrine and prasiolite. The first four are all ‘genuine’ amethysts and are related to the color or form of the amethyst crystal. The last two are linked to amethyst. However, they are distinct types.
- Purple Amethyst- Purple amethyst is the classic amethyst that everyone is familiar with, and the darker the hue, the more expensive the stone. Amethyst is a form of quartz that may be found in every continent. Traces of iron and manganese cause the purple color. The colors can range from faint lilac to lavender, mauve, and deep violet.
- Cape Amethyst- Amethyst and white milky quartz combine to form cape amethyst. Milky quartz can be very fine or have distinct layers. When milky quartz is found in layers, it is known as banded amethyst or chevron amethyst. When the white bands are in a triangle pattern, they are referred to as chevron amethyst or dog tooth.
- Pink Amethyst- Pink amethyst was discovered in Argentina and can range in color from light lilac to deep pink and even peachy. The presence of the hematite mineral enables the amethyst deposit to form a pinkish crystal rather than a purple crystal. In most stones, hematite produces red streaks.
- Mossy Amethyst- Mossy or moss amethyst are amethyst gemstones that have thin vein-like features and are generally more reddish. It is also called “tourmalinated” amethyst because the internal threads or branches are usually black tourmaline inclusions. Tourmaline is sometimes found as microscopic specks rather than strands.
- Ametrine- When heated, amethyst quartz turns into yellow citrine quartz, creating a bi-color impression of both purple and yellow hues in one stone. Ametrine is a combination of the words “amethyst” and “citrine.” Due to geological heating, this process occurs naturally in some amethyst deposits, but purple amethyst can also be cooked manually in a lab to generate the same appearance. A sharp line between the two colors indicates manual heating, but a gradual color change means natural ametrine.
- Prasiolite- Green amethyst, also known as prasiolite, is a very pale green type of quartz. This gemstone is typically found in the vicinity of stable purple amethyst deposits. Chemical processes triggered by high-temperature lava flows or intrusions would have changed the purple quartz into green quartz. In a lab, this heating process can be replicated by heating or irradiating purple amethyst. Because naturally occurring prasiolite is extremely rare, these crystals are most likely what you will find in green amethyst jewelry.
Interesting Facts
- The Greek gods believed that drinking from goblets created with amethyst jewels would keep them from getting drunk.
- Medieval troops wore the gemstone in combat to shield them and help them stay focused.
- Amethyst is regarded as Saint Valentine’s stone because he wore an amethyst ring etched with the image of cupid.
- In modern Europe, royalty used robes and garments colored in the rich purple of amethyst and accessorized with gems.
- One of the facts about amethyst is that until the discovery of vast reserves in Brazil in the nineteenth century, amethyst was as valuable and prized as rubies and emeralds.
- Camillo Leonardi, an astrologer, stated that amethyst sharpens the mind and dispels negative thoughts.
- In 1993, a nine-foot grotto in Maine was discovered with more than a tonne of amethyst crystal.
- When exposed to sunlight over an extended amount of time, amethyst fades to a yellow color.
- The traditional birthstone for February and Pisces signs born between February 19th and March 20th is amethyst. Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, and Libra are the astrological signs associated with it.
- Amethyst is the sixth, seventeenth, and thirty-third wedding anniversary gemstone. Choose an amethyst engagement ring from Angara to surprise your partner on their wedding anniversary.
- Only a few quartz species can reach higher carat weights and have minor inclusions. One such quartz is amethyst; others include smokey quartz, citrine and ametrine. As a result, the price per carat climbs gradually rather than exponentially, as with some rare gemstones in large, precise proportions.
Final Thoughts
Amethyst has been a favorite amongst women as well as men and possesses a lovely understated charm that makes it perfect for both statement as well as everyday jewelry. If you are seeking an amethyst ring, earring, pendant or bracelet for yourself or for someone close, then look no further than Angara and shop for a beautiful piece studded with the mesmerizing amethyst gemstone.
Also Read
- History of Blue Zircon
- History of Aquamarine
- History of Blue Sapphire
- History of Brown Diamonds
- History of Diamond
- History of Black Diamond
- History of Blue Diamond
- History of Orange Zircon
- History of Pink Sapphire
- History of Pink Tourmaline
- History of Ruby
- History of Tanzanite
- History of Tourmaline
- History of Tsavorite
- History of Turquoise
- History of White Sapphire
- History of Yellow Sapphire
- History of Moonstone
- History of South Sea Pearl
- History of Tahitian Pearl
- History of Citrine
- History of London Blue Topaz
