What is Amethyst?

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What is Amethyst?

Amethyst is form of quartz (Silicon Dioxide - chemical formula SiO₂) that is a semi-precious gemstone. It is purple/violet in color, the color resulting from the presence of iron and other impurities as well as being exposed to radiation.

Traditionally, in the Old World, Amethyst was considered one of the five most valuable gemstones (along with diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire), known as Cardinal gems. As a result, it was associated with royalty. However, Amethyst no longer enjoys the status, because very large deposits of the stone have been found in Brazil.

Amethyst Jewelry

The name amethyst comes from the Ancient Greek for "not intoxicated". This name was given to the mineral by the Greeks, because they (wrongly) believed that the stone would protect its own from drunkenness. Apart from the name of the mineral, this association has been carried forward by Christian bishops who wear an ecclesiastical ring often set with an Amethyst, in reference to the Apostles not being drunk at Pentecost (Acts 2:15).

Other cultural associations of Amethyst include it being worn in amulets by soldiers in the Middle Ages, since they believed it would protect and heal them. And, Tibetan Buddhists making prayer beads from Amethysts, in the belief that the stone is sacred to Buddha.

Major sources of Amethyst today include Brazil, Uruguay, South Korea, Austria, Russia, India, and Zambia. Deposits of Amethyst are also found in several US states and Canada, and Amethyst is in fact the official state gemstone of South Carolina. Additionally, synthetic Amethyst has been produced by irradiating clear quartz, and it is very hard to distinguish from natural Amethyst without using advanced tests.

Finally, it's worth pointing out that green quartz, properly known as "prasiolite" (and also sometimes referred to as "vermarine" or "lime citrine") is sometimes incorrectly called "green amethyst".

Green Quartz:

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