Properties of Amethyst Crystal

Color

• Amethyst gets its characteristic color from the presence of ferric iron and aluminum impurities during the crystallization process. The crystals occur in a wide range of purple shades. They may be light pink with violet tinges all the way to a dark, deep purple. The color may be uniformly distributed or may be banded in layers with white. The crystal point can be transparent and the base purple, or vice-versa.

  In addition to primary purple hues, amethyst can contain secondary color mixes of red or blue. When amethyst contains yellow, it's called ametrine, for its mixture with citrine. Very pale varieties are called lavender amethyst. The ideal color grade is called deep Siberian and is a mix of 75 percent red and 25 percent blue. When exposed to bright sunlight for long periods, amethyst will fade or lose its color entirely.

Forms

• An interesting property of amethyst is its wide variety of naturally occurring shapes and sizes. It's usually found as hexagonal prismatic crystals, either as individual scepters or in aggregate clusters. Amethyst is commonly found in the centers of small geodes. The crystals can grow into massive aggregates inside of huge geodes called pyramids or cathedrals. It can grow as a crystalline crust lining the insides of hollow volcanic pipes. These forms are mined extensively in Brazil and are sold as gigantic individual formations or cut up into more manageable sections.

  Single crystals can be sharply pointed or have flattened "shovel nose" tips. Amethyst can be found in rivers as rounded stones and more rarely as stalactite or stalagmite cave formations.

Folk Properties

• From ancient times to the present, folkloric properties have been ascribed to amethyst crystals. Ancient Egyptians used amethyst amulets to ward off evil. Classical period Greeks and Romans wore it and carved it into drinking vessels, believing it would prevent intoxication. Bishops in the early Catholic Church wore amethysts as a symbol of piety and wisdom. Modern New Age adherents believe the stone possesses metaphysical healing, purifying, meditative and energy concentrating properties. It is said to have calming, mystical effects aiding spiritual and psychic abilities.