What does amethyst mean?
Today amethyst stands for inner strength and personal empowerment. In older lore it was believed to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted, in battle and in business.
Its wine-like color tied it to Bacchus, the god of wine, and Renaissance Europeans thought it could calm lovers overrun by passion.
Against drunkenness
Amethyst comes from the Greek amethystos, a remedy against drunkenness, a power long credited to the stone.
What color is the February birthstone?
Purple, from a soft lilac to a deep, wine-like violet. Some stones carry a hint of red or blue alongside the purple.
Amethyst can fade in long, strong light, so it is not a stone to wear to the beach every day.
Why is amethyst a royal stone?
Royals have admired its purple since at least the days of Alexander the Great, and it sits in royal collections across Europe and Asia.
Catherine the Great of Russia wore amethyst necklaces, earrings and more. Once as rare as ruby or emerald, it became far easier to find in the 1800s, when large deposits turned up in Brazil.
How to care for an amethyst
Amethyst is a 7 on the Mohs scale, hard enough for a ring worn every day, though it may need repolishing over the years. Keep it apart from diamonds, rubies and sapphires, which can scratch it.
Clean it with mild soap and a soft brush, and skip the steam cleaner.
Where does amethyst come from?
Russia was the main source until the 1800s. Today most amethyst comes from South America and Africa.
| Known for | |
|---|---|
| Brazil | Lighter purple, and geodes big enough to stand in |
| Bolivia | The Anahí mine, also home of two-tone ametrine |
| Zambia | The Kariba mine, with richly saturated color |
| Arizona, US | The Four Peaks mine: dark purple and purplish red |
Lab-grown amethyst has been made since the 1970s and has the same chemistry as mined amethyst. Sellers are required to tell you which one you are buying.
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