Amethyst derives its name from the Greek word "amethystos" which  means "not intoxicated". It is one of the most famous stone found in  the Quartz family. Its colour ranges from light lilac or lavender to the  deep, rich, dark purples and violets. Experts believe Amethyst gets  its colour from trace amounts of Iron . But some others believe it is  due to Manganese or hydrocarbons presence. The Amethyst is  available today in abundance which has made this stone inexpensive and affordable for majority of people. Amethyst is formed in silica-rich liquids deposited in gas cavities as after the eruptions lava cools it occurs in crystalline masses. Very often depending on the  conditions hexagonal crystals are formed. There also some  examples of finding Amethyst as stalactite.

With the heat Amethyst may lose its colour therefore it is recommended that its crystal should be kept away from the exposure to the sun. Intensive heat to Amethyst will change it's colour to Citrine. Very often this way Commercial Citrine is produced and it is difficult even for experts to differentiate the heated Citrine from the Natural ones. Even in the nature where heat conditions have been different as the crystals were formed the colour of Amethyst could be somewhere blue and at some spots Yellowish.

Amethyst is believed as the "Stone of Spirit" as well as "Stone of Integrity," Amethyst has been long associated  with purity and piety. Amethyst is also called the stone of the Buddha, in Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh , Bhutan and in Tibet, monks or using this stone for making prayer beads, also called “Mala”. This “Mala” is used for prayer ceremonies and meditation. Purple has long been considered a royal color and this make Amethysts to find place in the British Crown Jewels. Egyptian soldiers kept Amethyst touching to their upper part of body in the battle as they believed to have more positive energy to fight against the enemies. The crystals of Amethyst are also used in the stone therapies used by traditional Chinese and Indian ancient doctors.

Amethyst is also associated as birthstone for the month of February (Aquarius) and also symbolic gemstone for the 17th wedding anniversary.To get the maximum benefits from the Amethyst it should be recharged under the Moonlight. For many tribal groups amethyst is a stone of peace. It has long been a symbol of many religions for peace, purity and unification. Amethyst is believed to have qualities to transform energies of low vibration to those of higher potency. It is also believed that Amethyst Jewellery, Gems made people immune to the intoxicating effects of alcohol.It is a little known fact that amethyst is also related to a specific day and time. This purple stone is associated with Wednesday and being most effective at 8:00 am hour.

Mines & sources of Amethyst