Hobbies And Interests
History
Amethyst derives its name from the Greek "amethystos" meaning "not drunken." This produced the belief that amethyst would protect the wearer from drunkenness. It has ties to both Greek and Roman mythology. A young girl, Amethystos, being pursued by the god of wine, prayed to the gods for protection; they changed her into a white stone. The god of wine, in regret, poured wine on the stone, giving it its color.
The color purple has long been associated with royalty. Kings, queens, priests and heads of the church have all worn and given amethyst for its noble color. In the Middle Ages the value of amethyst was equal to that of the diamond. Discoveries in the 1900s of vast deposits of amethyst lowered its value but not its overall appeal.
Description
Amethyst is made of SiO2 or silicon dioxide. It is a form of quartz. The purple color comes from impurities in the quartz of iron and manganese. When heated the color of amethyst can change to pale yellow. Its crystal structure varies somewhat from that of most other quartz stones, such as smoky quartz and citrine. It is often found in geodes or upon geode bases, growing in clusters or pyramids. Occasionally, water erosion creates smooth amethyst stones.
Features
Amethyst is transparent, and its color ranges from pale violet to deep purple. The colors with pinkish or reddish hues tend to be more valuable, as does a darker coloration. In daylight, the paler stones can appear almost colorless. The color distribution in amethysts tends to be uneven. Lab-created amethyst has become possible. Due to the advancing techniques, distinguishing natural from fabricated amethysts has become increasingly difficult even for professionals.
Locations
Amethyst is quite common and found worldwide; Namibia, as well as South Africa, contains large deposits. Brazil, too, has a prolific supply of amethyst. Uruguay and Bolivia are suppliers of the gem as well. In Canada, Nova Scotia and Ontario produce quality amethysts. Thunder Bay, Ontario is recognized for stones containing red streaks through the violet coloration. Siberia and the Ural mountains in Russia notably contribute dark and clear amethysts.
Uses
Cut into faceted gemstones, amethyst has long graced jewelry settings. Many museums display historic necklaces, bracelets and even belts made of the gem. Due to its ample supply, amethyst jewelry is usually inexpensive, but the rich violet color gives a sense of regal luxury. Mineral collectors seek amethyst as well. Geodes as well as tumbled stones are popular among these hobbyists.