Geology / History
Amethyst is a purple variety of Quartz (SiO2) & owes its violet colour to irradiation. Iron impurities (in some cases in conjunction with transition element impurities) & the presence of trace elements result in complex crystal lattice substitutions.
Amethyst was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians & was largely employed in antiquity for intaglio engraved gems. The Greeks believed Amethyst gems could prevent intoxication. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle, in the belief that amethyst would heal people & keep them cool-headed. Beads of amethyst were found in Anglo-Saxon graves in England. The Pope wears an Amethyst ring as a connection to the Divine.
Metaphysical Properties
The stone of Divine grace. An extremely powerful & protective stone with a high spiritual vibration & direct connection to Divine energy. Amethyst is calming, uplifting & excellent for lowering stress levels. Increases focus stimulating creativity & flow of manifestation abilities.
Resonates with the crown & third eye charka pulling Divine knowledge into the physical body. Amethyst harbors very strong healing & cleansing powers, it can also recharge other crystals. Helps to overcome addictions & blockages of all kinds, by keeping an open connection with ones higher self.
A natural tranquilizer which reduces mood swings, supports through high pressure situations & aids insomnia. Amethyst dispels all negative emotions & brings positivity through blissful responses. Increases sixth sense, spiritual awareness & integrates soul talents into the physical realm. Enhances higher states of consciousness making it wonderful for meditation & healings. Has a shield like ability which guards against psychic & magic attack.
Amethyst also absorbs radiation & protects against EMF’s. This Crystal allows your best foot to always be forward & shows you your true beauty which it turn shine outward for the entire world to see.
Crystal Healing
Cleanses blood, immune system, skin conditions, cellular disorders, fine tunes metabolism & endocrine system.
Mineralogy
Group: Quartz (Silicate-tectosilicate)
Crystal System: Trigonal
Composition: SiO2
Form/Habit: Hexagonal Prisms, Normally pyramidal terminations, sometimes prismatic
Hardness: 7
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal
Lustre: Vitreous
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Transparency: Opaque to translucent
R.I: 1.544 to 1.553
Colour: Purple, violet, pale red – violet
Causes of Colour: Violet to purple, O2+→Fe4+ charge transfer, due to irradiation.
Fluorescence: Inert to weak greenish blue
Birefringence: 0.009
Pleochroism: Weak gray-purple, reddish purple