AMETHYST GEMSTONE
Amethyst is the kind of gemstone that can save a person from the influence of alcohol, as per the popular beliefs surrounding this gemstone. This gemstones is named after beautiful maid, the symbol of chastity Amethystos who got the attention of God of Wine for very wrong reasons. So, when she was on way to worship her Goddess Diana, God of Wine sent some voracious tigers to show her his supremacy. Diana, to protect Amethystos from encroaching tigers, converted her into a crystal. Dionysys, the God Of Wine is believed to have wept his heart out on realizing that his act was that of a barbarian. His tears fell on crystallized Amethystos imparting purple colour to it and thus amethyst stone came into existence.
Amethyst, in ancient times, was used for making of goblets and tumblers and water kept in these made these look like wine-filled glasses. So, kings in ancient times, used to drink water in these goblets and pretended to be drunk while enjoying with those contemporaries who they did not trust much. Cut to modern times, even today, if a person wants to avoid the hangover is advised to add amethyst crystals to the drink for ensuring sobriety.
Amethyst prices tend to go down as and when new deposits surface up. Queen Charlotte, in 1700s, had an Amethyst bracelet that cost her £200 but few years later when new deposits of this gemstone were found, the price fell down pathetically causing great disappointment to heirs. Hence, it is not necessary that one gets better returns on the investment made in rarer stones, reverse is equally true.
Amethyst is a great psychic healer and is known to purify body, soul and mind to the best. The stone is considered very pious and has been employed in the making of crowns of Bishops and Pope. One can get rid of ill-feelings, jealousy and other derogatory emotions by using this gemstone and feel rush of positivity and sanctity translated into righteous behaviour and happy state of mind. No wonder it is being used a lot in the making of crosses, thrones and amulets that are mostly used by the people practising high levels of piety and self-control.
Amethyst is one of the most popular members of quartz family and can be found in purple and violet colour depending upon the depth of colour that it displays. Extent of iron content in the stone is responsible for the intensity of the colour and one may find very striking violet hues too if the said mineral is in abundance. In the present scenario, use of heating method to get the appealing purple hue is quite normal. Heat treating further to get lemon-orange tint results into citrine. There are certain gemstones that show distinct purple and lemon hues in single crystal and thus christened as 'ametrine'.
Brazil, Uruguay and Madagascar are the three important amethyst mining locations. Of these Uruguay amethyst is considered the most superior in quality and style.
