In the fifteenth century, the traditional virtue of the Amethyst stone was the cure of drunkenness: it had a sobering effect. The word “amethyst” derives from the Greek “amethystos”, meaning “a remedy against drunkenness”. This stone is known to support sobriety. It was also believed to protect soldiers from harm and help hunters capture wild animals. In our day and age, Amethyst is still one of the most popular, and believed to be, most powerful gemstones.

Historically, Amethyst has been admired and worn as a gemstone by royals as far back as the days of Alexander the Great. It can be found in jewellery collections of Royal families throughout Europe and Asia.

Amethyst is the purple variety of Quartz. It comes in a variety of purple hues, the deeper saturation, the better value. It can be manufactured in a laboratory as well as mined. It is known as the popular birthstone for the month of February and is the gemstone traditionally given for the sixth wedding anniversary.

Large deposits of Amethyst can be found in Brazil and Russia, the most important sources being in Africa, South America and Bolivia. Amethyst can also be found in the most rugged part of the Mazatzal Mountains in Arizona. The rough terrain and lack of water and power at the Four Peaks mine means extracting the fine dark purple crystals is a challenging activity.

With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, Amethyst is appropriate for daily use in jewellery. It must be stored carefully as harder stones such as Sapphires, Rubies and Diamonds will scratch its surface.

Amethyst is well known as a powerful healing stone, on both spiritual and physical levels. With its high spiritual vibration and tranquilizing effect, it is known to enhance higher states of consciousness and meditation. It opens the mind to intuition and enhance psychic gifts. More healing properties attributed to Amethyst are: boosts production of hormones, good for the endocrine system and metabolism, strengthens the immune system, cleanses the blood, relieves physical, emotional and psychological pain and /or stress, eases headaches, releases tension. It heals skin conditions, cellular disorders, and digestive tract. There are many more attributes to this powerful gemstone which makes it a sought after gemstone that is affordable to purchase.

With all its attributes as well as its attractive deep, purple colour, it is no wonder Amethyst is such a popular stone. Offer one to the King or Queen in your life, regardless if their birthday is during the month of February.