The world's most popular purple gemstone, Amethyst has been used in personal adornment for over 2000 years. The Ancient Egyptians worked amethysts into amulets as both a form of prayer and protection against harm. Believed to inspire courage, calm, and contemplation, Egyptian soldiers would wear amethyst in battle in order to retain their courage.
The name “amethyst” comes from the Greek word “amethystos,” which means “sober” or “not drunken.” The ancient Greeks believed that the gemstone protected them from being drunk. To this day, you can find cups made from amethyst that were designed to protect oneself from drunkenness. The ancient Greeks also revered amethyst as a talisman. They believed that when worn, amethyst would bring out the highest, purest aspirations of humankind.
LEGEND
The legend of the origin of amethyst comes from Greek myth. According to this myth, amethyst was created by Dionysus, god of fruitfulness and wine. Angered by the purity of a young woman named Amethyst, who preferred to pay homage to the goddess Diana, he ordered two tigers to devour her. Diana came to her rescue transforming Amethyst into a white quartz. Overcome with remorse, Dionysus shed tears into his goblet of red wine. Some of the wine spilled, running on the white stone, which absorbed its color, creating the stone amethyst.
INSPIRATION
One of my absolute favorite flowers are lilacs. As a child, I remember visiting my auntie Elsie on her farm. The entire front yard was framed with luscious lilac bushes, creating an enormous, yet private oasis. The scent was incredible and the glorious purple color that popped against the rich green leaves was magical to me. To this day, when I smell them, I am taken back to those days and I smile and remember how much I loved to visit her. Lilacs were also the color of my first gemstone - Amethyst, my birthstone.
THE COLOR
While the word "amethyst" makes most people think of a dark purple gem, amethyst actually occurs in many shades of purple. The purple color can be super light, like a mist or so dark that it is nearly opaque. It can be reddish purple, or more violet purple. I love them all and find value and importance in each for their unique beauty.
FINDING IT
Mined mainly in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Namibia, smaller amounts of amethyst are also found in Canada, Madagascar and the USA.
MEANING
Amethyst is the birthstone for February as well as the gemstone for the sixth and seventeenth wedding anniversaries. Amethyst historically symbolizes sincerity and sacred love. It is often viewed as a stone of peace, offering a calming presence. The Hebrew word for amethyst is “ahlamah” which means “dream”; thus, the stone is supposed to cause lovely dreams and visions… and if you dream of amethyst you will be free from harm.