Amethyst Information

Intuition   •    Wisdom  •  Calm  •    Sleep  •    Head aches

 

HISTORY and FOLKLORE

The name Amethyst comes from the Ancient Greek word  “A-Methystos”, meaning not intoxicated.   This came from the belief that the crystal protected its owner from drunkenness.  Ancient Greeks and Romans wore Amethyst and drank from Amethyst drinking vessels in the belief that it would prevent intoxication.  

Amethyst was discovered at least 6,000 years ago, it has been found buried in Prehistoric Neolithic people’s graves in Herefordshire, UK.  

Amethyst was one of the most precious gemstones.  Amethyst features in the British Crown Jewels including the Royal Sceptre.  

In the bible, Amethyst was one of the twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel, is said that the 12th layer of the wall of heaven is built of Amethyst, and that it was worn on the breastplate of the high priest.

Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it.   Between 1518-1577 the French Poet Remy Belleau wrote a poem "L'Amethyste, ou les Amours de Bacchus et d'Amethyste" (“the loves of Bacchus and Amethyste”), a myth in which Bacchus (God of Wine and Grapes),  fell in love with a maiden named Amethyste, who refused his affections. During prayer, Amethyste was turned to crystal. Bacchus poured wine over the stone as an offering, turning the crystal purple.

Greeks believed Amethyst could prevent intoxication, while medieval European soldiers wore Amethyst as protection in battle in the belief that amethysts heal people and keep them cool-headed.

Saint Valentine had an Amethyst ring carved with an image of Cupid. Leonard da Vinci once said that amethyst helps to quicken intelligence and get rid of evil thoughts.

 

EMOTIONAL PROPERTIES

Amethyst is a natural tranquiliser known for it’s calming effects.  It relieves anxiety, stress and strain and soothes irritability and balance emotions. 

Amethyst is known to dispel anger, worry and fear, sadness and grief.  

Amethyst helps calm over-active minds, helps us get to sleep and eliminates nightmares, replacing them with happy dreams.

 

SPIRITUAL PROPERTIES

Amethyst is a protective crystal, shielding us against negative energy and psychic attack which keeping our intuition open.  It’s known to dissolve negativity, turning it into love.

Amethyst enhances our spiritual connection, increasing our intuition and psychic abilities.  It brings wisdom, common sense and helps us make good decisions. 

 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Amethyst may be helpful for:

• Boosting hormone production
• Strengthens and cleanses immune system, liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, intestines
• Cleanses the blood
• Relieves physical and emotional pain
• Eases tension headaches and migraines
• Reduces bruises and swelling
• Insomnia
• May help stabilise psychiatric conditions but should not be used for paranoia or schizophrenia
• Helps us to over-come addictions

  

  

COLOURS and VARIATIONS

 

Transparent to Translucent

PURPLE, varying from very pale to deep purple depending on levels of iron content

SPIRIT QUARTZ is unique due to its second-generation smaller crystals that are growing on a larger crystal

PINK AMETHYST’S colour comes from the addition of Hematite

BLACK AMETHYST’S colour comes from a much higher iron content

CITRINE – occurs when Amethyst is heated to temperatures exceeding 300℃.  At these temperatures amethyst loses it’s purple colour and changes to Yellow or Smokey Colour.  This may happen naturally in the earth or from being placed in a kiln

 

 

FACTS

CRYSTAL FAMILY:   Quartz

COMPOSITION:  Amethyst usually grows on the inside of agate geodes formed when clay, silt, sand or gravel are deposited and compacted by running water.

CRYSTAL SYSTEM:  Trigonal

CHEMICAL FORMULA:  SiO2

HARDNESS:  7 on the Mohs scale

ORIGIN:  Africa, Brazil, Russia, South America, Sri Lanka, Siberia

 

GENERAL

CHAKRA:  

• Crown Chakra, located at the very top of your head
• Third Eye Chakra, located between your eyes

BIRTHSTONE:  February

ZODIAC:  Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius, Capricorn

ANNIVERSARY:   6th

PLANET:  Jupiter, the planet of good luck and optimism

CLEANSING:  Our favourite way to cleanse Amethyst is with natural running water

CARE:  Avoid direct sunlight, UV light and heat, all of which can cause the purple colour of Amethyst to fade

 

Click here to view our range of Amethyst products ♡

 

REFERENCES:

Adam Barralet - Crystal Connections,   Judy Hall – The Crystal Bible, www.gia.edu, www.healthline.com,  www.en.wikipedia.org, www.mindat.org,   www.crystalage.com,   www.gia.edu,   www.earthsky.org,  www.crystalcouncil.com

Amethyst Crystal, crystals, NZ, New Zealand, Auckland, Amethyst Healing Properties, Qualities, Meaning, benefits, emotional, spiritual, physical, energy