Amethyst

Amethyst is a variety of quartz with purple coloration, which is caused by impurities of iron or manganese. Amethyst occurs in a wide range of purple shades. The purple color can be throughout or can be in bands with white quartz. Its color and beauty are without rival, even from other much more expensive purple gems. Purple is the color of royalty. The rich and powerful have worn it as a mark of rank for hundreds of years. Even today as an affordable gem available in a wide selection of cut stones it has a regal air. Amethyst is found in many areas around the world, including Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Africa, and Russia. In the United States, Amethyst can be found in Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Maine, and New Jersey. In Canada, Amethyst is found near Thunder Bay and in Nova Scotia. One typical feature of Amethyst from Thunder Bay is its reddish coloration, caused by an internal coating of red hematite (iron). Russian stones (from the Urals) are very clear and dark. Amethyst is one of several gem quartz varieties. The others are: · Citrine - A yellow to orange variety, rare in nature but created by heating Amethyst. · Rock crystal - a clear stone, occasionally used as a gem. · Rose quartz - a pink stone, sometimes cut as a cabochon. · Smoky quartz - the brown to gray quartz stones, sometimes in error called smoky topaz. In Greek Mythology Dionysus, the god of wine and song, was angry and vowed to slay the first mortal who crossed his path. That unlucky mortal was Amethyst, a beautiful maiden. However, Artemis (goddess of virginity and the hunt) intervened and transformed Amethyst into white stone. When Dionysus saw what had happened, he repented and poured wine over the stone, staining the top of it purple. That is why the top of amethyst is purple and the bottom is white. Though the story has other variations such as: The Goddess Diana transformed a beautiful young maiden, Amethyst, into a statue of pure quartz in an effort to protect her from vicious tigers created by the vengeful God, Dionysus. Dionysus having looked upon the results of his actions wept remorseful tears of wine upon the statue endowing the stone with the rich purple hue we know today. Dionysus as it happens was the God of Intoxication. In Folklore and Mythology Amethyst has many supernatural powers. Amethyst purportedly Brings luck, Ensures constancy, Protects against magic, Prevents homesickness, Protects against drunkenness, (the Greek word amethustos means "not drunk"). Leonardo da Vinci wrote that the gem dissipates evil thoughts and quickens the intelligence, high praise indeed.

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