Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz occurring in hues ranging from a light pinkish violet to a deep grape purple. The most sought after color is the deep violet exhibiting flashes of red. This variety is termed as the “Siberian” though it is got from places other than
The legend of this stone holds that the Greek God of intoxication, Dionysius, was once insulted by a mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal crossing his way. Amethyst, a beautiful maiden, who was on her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, happened to be the next mortal in Dionysius’s way. To save her from the brutal attack of Dionysius, Goddess Diana turned Amethyst into a crystal statue which turned purple by the tears of Dionysius in repentance at the sight of the statue. This is how the stone acquires its name.
Amethyst has been celebrated as an idyllic gem for use in gemstone jewelry by designers owing to its royal color, size and shape variations and an extensive tonal range from pale lavender to dark purple. Its popularity in the gemstone jewelry industry can also be attributed to its modest price, due to abundance in all parts of the world, making it affordable for jewelry lovers and a hardness of 7 to ease the caring process.
As an ultimate choice in jewelry, amethyst often finds its way in gemstone rings and gemstone pendants as a solitaire stone. Gemstone earrings, mostly danglers, with a fine intersperse of amethyst with diamonds or other varieties of gemstones are gaining peeks in popularity in recent times.
Apart from its use as an ornamental stone in gemstone jewelry , amethyst also has a firm niche in medicine and is believed to be bestowed with miraculous powers. It is held that amethyst brings good fortune in war and hunt, drives out evil spirits and inspires the intellect. It is referred to as the gemstone of friendship and is the birthstone of the month of February.
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