The Purple Gem: Amethyst
By Gina Ritter
Royalty wore purple, as so shall we. Amethyst:
transparent, purple quartz has been in demand throughout history
from Catherine the
Great to the British royals and Egyptians. Amethyst ranges in color
from pale lilac (sometimes coined “Rose de France”)
used in Victorian jewelry to deep purple of historical royalty.
Today, amethyst is mined in South American countries like Brazil,
Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as in Zambia, Namibia and
other African countries. Some darker amethyst is mined in Australia.
In Greek legend, it was the tears of the god of
intoxication, Dionysus, which stained the quartz to the purple
amethyst color
it is today. Dionysus, one of the ‘black sheep’ of
the Gods, was angered by a mortal and foolishly swore revenge on
any mortal that was unlucky enough to cross paths with ferocious
tigers he created to mirror his anger. The young, mortal maiden,
Amethyst, was an unsuspecting victim. The goddess Diana turned
Amethyst into a protective statue of pure crystalline quartz and
it was then that Dionysus wept tears of wine on her statue in remorse.
Interestingly. The Greek word amethystos means “not drunken” or “without
drunkenness” and amethysts were used in ancient Greece as
a sobriety aid by carving wine goblets from the purple quartz or
holding an amethyst gem under your tongue while drinking. Modern
Greece still enjoys its sobering symbolism today.
In the Middle Ages it was thought to encourage celibacy, so Catholics
and others adorned themselves and their churches with Amethysts
as a sign of piety. Likewise, many Bishops continue to wear amethyst
rings today and rosaries of Tibet are fashioned with amethysts,
as they were sacred to Buddha.
Amethysts are encrusted in the famed British Crown
Jewels and the International Colored Gemstone Association website
states “Leonardo
Da Vinci wrote that amethyst was able to dissipate evil thoughts
and quicken the intelligence.”
Of course, today we still love amethyst quartz
for its uniqueness and royal beauty. From adults to children
wear it on our hands,
wrists and at our neckline. Strikingly beautiful hatpins and brooches
are often encrusted with amethyst, and we also know it to be February’s
birthstone. Amethyst makes a great gift for your February baby.
