Amethyst: History, Origin, Composition, Virtues, Significance and Recharging of the stone

Amethyst is a variety of quartz. Amethysts' unique purplish color makes them highly sought-after stones. They were used to design majestic objects (crowns). Amethyst can be worn in many different ways to bring different virtues.

History of Amethyst

The natural stone Amethyst is a fine, violet-colored stone. Its etymology comes from the Greek "methystos" meaning "drunkenness", its prefix "a" determining deprivation, so its name means "sobriety". The name comes from Greek mythology: Amethystos, a chaste nymph, was coveted by the god of wine and celebration, Dionysus. She was transformed into rock crystal by the goddess Artemis, to protect her from Dionysus, who in his fury spilled his glass of wine on the crystal and turned purple.

From this story, Amethyst was often used to create glass to prevent drunkenness. For Christians, it was synonymous with purity and humility, when Joseph gave Mary a ring set with amethyst. It also symbolized love on Valentine's Day and fidelity.

During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was already using this stone for its lithotherapy virtues, notably to dispel negative thoughts and enhance creativity.

Its purplish color was quickly appreciated, and it was used as a decorative stone by the Etruscans and Egyptians. In the 18th century, amethyst became a fashionable stone for clasps, brooches and beads.

Even today, because of its deep color and brilliance, amethyst remains popular for jewelry and lithotherapy.

Origin and composition of amethyst stone

Amethyst is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), belongs to the Quartz variety and has a specific gravity of 2.65.

It is found in basaltic and/or plutonic rocks. Amethyst can be translucent or opaque, its color determined by the temperature at which it was formed; it remains purplish only up to 250°C. Around 500°C, amethyst turns lemon-yellow (heated citrine). Intensity and color may vary according to where it was mined, as well as its iron and manganese content.

Origin of amethyst stone

You can find Amethyst in Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and East Africa. The main deposits remain in India, Russia and Europe.

Amethyst's hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale.

Virtues and Significance of Amethyst in Lithotherapy

Amethyst is considered a stone of humility and wisdom.

The natural stone Amethyst in lithotherapy

Amethyst is often used in lithotherapy for its ability to relieve stress and pressure. It promotes calm and serenity.

From a physical point of view Amethyst can help relieve muscular pains and headaches, and bring greater physical and mental stability. What's more, it's considered the ideal stone for women, as Amethyst can enhance hormone production and promote sleep.

From a psychic point of view Amethyst not only aids meditation, but also concentration and spiritual upliftment. Amethyst can calm anger, reduce fear, anxiety and feelings of sadness.

It is often used as a support for alcoholism and drug addiction.

Please note that lithotherapy is not a substitute for medical treatment or expertise.

Significance of the Amethyst stone

Amethyst symbolizes sincerity and spirituality; once considered a magical stone, it was used as a talisman against drunkenness and as a lucky charm.

Closely linked to the coronal chakra, it enhances benevolence and spirituality. Amethyst can be correlated with the third eye chakra to stimulate creativity, imagination and clarity of mind.

Astrological signs linked to Amethyst are Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces and Virgo.

Amethyst can be associated with the birth month of February. It's also the stone for 6 and 17 years of marriage.

Amethyst stone care, purification and recharging

To care for your Amethyst stones, you can clean them with distilled water (unsalted). Purification is not necessarily necessary for Amethyst.

Recharge your amethyst with a cluster of quartz next to it, or with moonlight (sunlight should be avoided, as it may damage the color of the amethyst).