Amethyst - February Birthstone
Amethyst, the most valuable crystal of the
quartz family, comes in many colors ranging from pale delicate lilac
to rich deep purple. It derives its name from a Greek word meaning
"not intoxicated" and has been known historically for
its supposed power to help one maintain that condition!
According to ancient myth, Bacchus,
the god of wine, was so enraged over a slight by the goddess Diana
that he vowed that the first person to enter his forest would be
devoured by his tigers. This hapless mortal turned out to be the
beautiful virgin Amethyst, who was on her way to worship at the
shrine of Diana. As the ferocious beasts sprang on her, she called
on Diana for help and was turned into pure white stone. In repentance
for his cruelty, Bacchus poured the juice of grapes over the stone
and gave it its purplish-violet color.
In memory of the transformed
nymph, the stone that bears her name was endowed with the ability
to protect the wearer from the evils of intoxicating drink. The
custom of drinking wine from cups of amethyst evolved in the belief
that the gems would ensure one remained sober.
The Amethyst was credited with
many other extraordinary attributes. Among its reputed benefits
was an ability to quicken the intelligence and make the owner more
successful in business, protect the soldier and assure victory,
help hunters, guard against contagious diseases, and control evil
thoughts.
To men, the amethyst promised
sober judgment and industry; to women, lofty thoughts and religious
love.
Catherine the Great was so fond
of the amethyst that she sent thousands of workers to search for
the gem in the Urals; the stones they brought back were prominent
among her royal jewels. Many other monarchs admired the amethyst
and identified with its supposed power. This admiration is the source
of the expression "royal purple." The amethyst appears
in the coronation regalia of England, in the king's scepter and
in the coronet of the Prince of Wales.
The amethyst, too, has had religious
associations. It was among the gems in Aaron's breastplate and is
worn by many bishops in the Roman Catholic Church.
The most valued hues of amethyst
range from deep purplish-red to purple-red. Deep, evenly colored
specimens are particularly desirable. The principal sources of fine-quality
amethyst include Brazil, Uruguay and the Ural Mountains. Other areas
of the world that have produced important quantities are Sri Lanka,
Japan, Mexico, South Africa, the United States, Madagascar and Iran.
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