Amethyst Information

Amethyst is the purple variety of the quartz mineral species. It’s the gem that’s most commonly associated with the color purple Amethyst was as expensive as ruby and emerald until the 19th Century, when Brazil’s large deposits were discovered. Because of its wine-like color, early Greek legends associated amethyst with Bacchus, the god of wine. Other legends reflected beliefs that amethyst kept its wearer clear-headed and quick-witted in battle and in business affairs. Because amethyst was associated with wine, it was believed that wearing amethyst prevented drunkenness — amethystos means “not drunk” in ancient Greek. Fine amethysts have been set in religious jewelry and royal crown jewels for ages. It was once considered equal in value to ruby, emerald, and sapphire. It’s no wonder that fine amethyst adorns the fingers of bishops as well as the coronation regalia of British royalty. Amethyst is the birthstone for February Amethyst’s purple color can range from a light lilac to a deep, intense royal purple, and from brownish to vivid. Amethyst also commonly shows what is called color zoning, which in the case of amethyst usually consists of angular zones of darker to lighter color. Most amethyst doesn’t have inclusions you can see without magnification.