Amethyst - Spiritual, Physical and Metaphysical Properties

Amethyst is credited with having several beneficial spiritual and metaphysical properties. For example, in ancient Greece, people believed that this stone could help those who were intoxicated. They believed that if they wore amethyst jewelry or drank from a cut made of amethyst, it would keep them immune from getting drunk as they drank alcohol. Amethyst is also believed to have played an important part in the history and culture of ancient Egypt. Many a royal was entombed with amethyst objects. Egyptian ruler exploited amethyst mines near Aswan to fund wars with neighboring kingdoms. Fast forward to the Renaissance era, and it appears that there was a slight shift in people’s perception towards this stone. In the past, the purple color became synonymous with royalty and status in society. Now, this stone was considered by symbolize humility and modesty. It is unclear what triggered this change, or when exactly it occurred, but some believe that the change was a result of the bringing together of various influences that the color purple came to represent.

Amethyst is one of the many gemstones from the quartz family. Chemically, it is a form of silica or silicon dioxide which happens to be the most abundant mineral found on earth. What distinguishes amethyst from other forms of silica including common beach sand is the structural make up, color, and optical properties of amethyst. Two secondary minerals in the silica structure are responsible for the appearance of the stone – iron and manganese. The manganese content gives the stone its characteristic purple color. The intensity of the color is controlled by its iron content. The higher the iron content, the deeper the color of the stone. For jewelry applications, the clarity of the stone is often more important than the size of the amethyst specimen. Stones that have flaws such as inclusions and fractures are usually less valuable than ones with no flaws. When selecting stones for fine jewelry, specimens with a deeper purple color are preferred over lighter colored ones. Consequently, lighter colored stones are less expensive that intensely colored ones, and therefore more suitable for fashion jewelry. Some of the best quality amethysts for jewelry applications come from Siberia. These stones have a deep purple color and show flashes of red under the right optical conditions.

This particular variety of amethyst is quite rare and expensive, and therefore mostly reserved for high-end fine jewelry. Recent jewelry designs however have utilized a lighter variety of the stone called the Rose of France. It remains to be seen if this shift in direction will boost the popularity and consequently the cost of lighter colored stones. Amethyst is a beautiful stone as such can be used as the only stone in a piece of fashion or fine jewelry. In fashion jewelry, an amethyst crystal is usually set in sterling silver. The purple color of the stone and the warm glow of silver is a winning combination. Amethyst can also be used in combination with other gems. One popular combination is adding a sterling pendant with an amethyst focal bead to a classic single-strand white pearl necklace.

New Age followers believe that amethyst brings about a spiritual awareness in person, and thus enhances spirituality. It is believed to ward away negative energy - energy that originates from within, as well as negativity that comes from those around us. It widens a person’s perspective and allows us to think outside the box. It is claimed that amethyst can calm down troubled spirits and emotions, keeps away nightmares, provides relief from physical and mental exhaustion, and helps a person get good night’s sleep. Through history, there have been many who believe in the physical healing powers of amethyst. Fine amethyst powder in solution has been used to get relief from dental, skeletal and neurological discomfort and problems. It is believed to help with digestion, blood sugar, and blood circulation. There is little medical and scientific evidence to support these claims.