Amethyst is a prized gemstone, known for its light to dark violet color. Mainly mined in Australia, Brazil and Madagascar, it is often used in jewelry for its beauty and brilliance. As a variety of quartz, it is distinguished by its hardness and its symbolism of spirituality and protection.
Amethyst is one of the best-known and most appreciated gemstones. Thanks to its color and brilliance, this fine stone (formerly known as a semi-precious stone) is widely used in jewelry.
Find out more about our amethyst jewelry components, so you too can create beautiful natural stone jewelry.
The name of this fine stone comes from the Greek "amethystos", meaning "to guard against drunkenness". It comes from the myth of amethyst's creation.
According to Greek mythology, Dionysus, the god of wine and drunkenness, lusted after a nymph named Amesthystos. But she refused the god's advances, wishing to remain chaste. Artemis, the goddess of hunting, wilderness and chastity, having learned of Dionysus' evil intentions, transformed the nymph into a cold, hard crystal to protect her. Mad with rage, Dionysus spilled his glass of wine on the stone, which took on a violet hue.
This is why, in ancient times, people drank from amethyst goblets, believing them to protect them from drunkenness.
The amethyst stone has been used since the dawn of time. Its origins can be traced back to the Etruscans, who used it for decoration, and the Egyptians, who wore it as a pendant.
In Roman times, amethyst was considered a lucky charm. Soldiers wore amethysts around their necks as amulets for protection in battle. In the Middle Ages, knights always wore an amethyst stone on their rosary beads when setting out on crusades.
In the 18th century, amethyst was used to make staples and brooches.
For Christians, the amethyst stone symbolizes love, and Saint Valentine wore it as a pendant around his neck. But it also symbolizes spirituality: bishops wear a ring adorned with an amethyst, and it's also the color of their robes. This gemstone is also known as the bishops' stone.
Amethyst is a variety of quartz with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale and a density of between 2.60 and 2.65. It is composed of silicon dioxide.
The color of this fine stone varies from light to intense violet, with or without inclusions. Its hue is due to traces of iron in its crystalline system. The same stone can have different color intensities.
It can range from transparent to opaque.
It can have hints of yellow when mixed with its cousin citrine. It is then called ametrine.
Because of its violet color, amethyst is sometimes confused with certain varieties of fluorite or iolite.
The main amethyst deposits are found in Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Russia, India and Uruguay. It is found as amethyst geodes of various sizes in basaltic rock and granite.
In lithotherapy, amethyst is considered the stone of humility, serenity and wisdom. It is said to stimulate creativity, imagination and clarity, as well as promoting relaxation, concentration and meditation.
Leonardo da Vinci believed in it: he thought it boosted his creativity and chased away negative thoughts, as he mentioned in one of his notebooks.
It is linked to the 7th chakra, the coronal or crown chakra.
Please note: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. Natural stones are no substitute for medical expertise or treatment.
We recommend regular care of your amethyst to recharge it and preserve its natural color and brilliance. When your violet stone is not mounted in jewelry, you can leave it for a few hours in a container of demineralized, lightly salted water.
To recharge amethyst, lithotherapists recommend placing it under moonlight. Caution: bright sunlight, on the other hand, can alter its color.
Ideal for fashion jewelry, amethyst goes well with both gold and silver tones. You can combine it with Gold Filled or 3-micron gold-plated jewelry primers, as well as with 925 Sterling Silver or stainless steel jewelry components. Gold will bring out its cheerful side, while silver will highlight the variations in its violet color.
How about Rose Gold for an original piece of jewelry? Or play the magic and mystery card with a black stone.
Amethyst can be worn on a necklace, earrings, ring or bracelet.
What stones should I wear amethyst with? In lithotherapy, we recommend mixing it with moonstone, labradorite or rock crystal. On the other hand, it should not be worn with stones such as tiger's eye, turquoise, malachite or black tourmaline. These stones could render it inactive. But you can, of course, combine it with any stones you like, according to your taste.
February's birthstone is Amethyst.
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